Ricerc@Sapienza

The essay deals with the doctrine of constitutionalism in a historical perspective. Examining the features of this doctrine and how
it influenced the state’s evolutionary process in Europe, the “two
times” of constitutionalism in the Twentieth century are deeply
analysed. More specifically, the aim is to explore how the functions
performed by the constitutions have changed. In the constitutional
state, constitutions organize state-society relations and they have to
govern and enforce the openness of the state towards the supranational dimension. In conclusion, three case studies are briefly discussed, to evaluate whether and how the European supranational dimension may help in protecting the essential core of the constitutional state, in particular strengthening fundamental rights and
representative democracy