The Concept of the Quasi-Constitution: A Comparative Study

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Associate Professor of Public Law, Department of Law, Faculty of Humanities, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

10.22091/cpl.2026.13927.1066

Abstract

As the foundational instrument of any legal order, the constitution has remained the central focus of constitutional theorization. The experience of diverse legal systems demonstrates that the calibration of power structures, the safeguarding of fundamental rights, and the steering of governance processes are not invariably confined to the formal text of a written constitution. Within this framework, the concept of the quasi-constitution (or sub-constitutional norms) refers to instruments, statutes, and arrangements that, while formally distinguished from the constitution, perform a functionally equivalent or normatively analogous role in terms of their substance and position. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical method and a concept-oriented comparative approach, this article investigates the nature of the quasi-constitution, the criteria for its identification, and its demarcation from contiguous concepts. Findings indicate that quasi-constitutions manifest in forms such as organic laws, electoral statutes, and budgetary laws, playing a pivotal role in the incremental evolution of the constitutional order. By analyzing the functions, advantages, and drawbacks of the quasi-constitution, the article demonstrates that this concept serves as an effective analytical tool for understanding the dynamics of contemporary constitutional law, particularly under conditions of transition and institutional constraint. 

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References

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Journal of Comparative Public Law
Volume 2, Issue 3 - Serial Number 7
November 2025
Pages 55-82

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