How to Write a Constitution to Prevent Violence

Nic Cheeseman and Alexander Noyes give tips in the Washington Post on writing a constitution to prevent violence and promote peace in Africa. (An upcoming Tanzanian vote provides the backdrop.)

Cheeseman (Oxford) is the author of Democracy in Africa: Successes, Failures, and the Struggle for Political Reform.

Their lessons, largely drawn from Cheeseman's book:

-Constitutional design is important, but very different kinds of constitutions can work.

-Political inclusion can bring great benefits, to a point.

-Power-sharing carries large risks, if not done right.

-But failing to share power also comes with risks.

-There's no one-size-fits-all model for every country.