Popular Sovereign Generated Versus Government Institution Generated Constitutional Norms: When Does a Constitutional Amendment Not Amend the Constitution?

Authors

Carlos E. González, Rutgers-Newark

Publication Title

Washington University Law Quarterly

Abstract

An elementary principle of constitutional law is that a constitutional amendment nullifies, or at least alters, preexisting and conflicting constitutional provisions. Yet should all constitutional amendments have this effect? Can we imagine a scenario in which ratification of a new constitutional amendment would leave preexisting conflicting constitutional provisions fully intact, unaltered, and undisturbed? This Article argues that the best understanding of fundamental adjudicatory principles compels us to recognize just such a possibility.

Recommended Citation

Carlos E. González, Popular Sovereign Generated Versus Government Institution Generated Constitutional Norms: When Does a Constitutional Amendment Not Amend the Constitution?, 80 Wash. U. L. Q. 127 (2002).
Available at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_lawreview/vol80/iss1/3