Constitutions and Public Policies

This chapter considers two big models of constitutions with a number of possible empiri cal variations. The first model, termed as classic, is that of the constitution that limits it self to structuring fundamental aspects of the polity, that is, the four orders of norms and principles in liberal democratic regimes, which include not only conventional liberal de mocratic provisions, but also socially-oriented material rights. The second model, called policy-oriented, concerns those constitutions that go beyond such structural parameters and into the policy realm, determining specific tasks for governments, establishing pro grammatic goals and budgetary percentages, detailing ordinary actions, and anticipating the design of public policies.