Omar Bennett
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world, with 27 amendments and seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. However, when it comes to state constitutions, Alabama's constitution, at more than 376,000 words, is not only the longest in the US but may also be the lengthiest constitutional document globally. The Alabama Constitution of 1901 has been amended several times, with additions like restating the right to bear arms and allowing a sewer authority in Franklin County to provide broadband internet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Alabama |
| Constitution of | 1901 |
| Word count | 376,000+ |
| Amendments | 12 new amendments, 70% local in nature |
| Comparison with other constitutions | More than four times as long as the Texas Constitution, the second-longest state constitution |
| Comparison with the U.S. Constitution | More than twice as old and has only been amended 26 times |
| Average number of amendments across U.S. states | 150 |
| Main principles | Setting limits on government, particularly local governments |
| Complexity | Amendments, local laws, and the involvement of state legislators create confusion and blur accountability |
| Reform efforts | Granting local governments more independence, with limited success |
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What You'll Learn
Alabama's Constitution: longest in the US
Alabama's Constitution is the longest in the US, with more than 376,000 words (excluding 12 new amendments). It is more than four times as long as the Texas Constitution, which is the second longest at just under 87,000 words. The Alabama Constitution of 1901 forms the basis of the current version, which was recompiled and adopted in 2022. It is Alabama's seventh constitution, and the state's only one not established via a State Convention.
The Alabama Constitution is detailed and amended frequently, with the latest changes including amendments strengthening the right to hunt, fish, and bear arms. It also includes provisions allowing a sewer authority in Franklin County to provide broadband internet and a $1 per bale assessment on each bale of cotton for cotton promotion.
The length of the Alabama Constitution is due to its accumulation of amendments, which often address exceptions to general principles and special cases for specific localities. It is estimated that 70% of the amendments are local in nature. This has led to confusion and blurred lines of accountability, as many local decisions require approval from the state government.
Alabama's Constitution has also faced criticism for its complexity and lack of clarity, efficiency, and effectiveness. The heavy involvement of state legislators in local affairs has hindered the development of a culture of statewide planning and policymaking. Despite efforts for constitutional reform, granting local governments more independence has proven challenging.
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US Constitution: oldest and longest-standing
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. Signed on September 17, 1787, it was ratified in 1788 and introduced into operation in 1789. The US Constitution is one of the oldest still in place in the world today, with only the United Kingdom's constitution, if you count the Magna Carta from 1215, being older.
The US Constitution has 27 amendments, with the original text and all prior amendments remaining untouched. The precedent for this practice was set in 1789 when Congress considered and proposed the first several Constitutional amendments. Amendments 1–10 are collectively known as the Bill of Rights, and Amendments 13–15 are known as the Reconstruction Amendments. The average ratification time for the first 26 amendments was 1 year and 252 days, while for all 27, it was 9 years and 48 days.
The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the government into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The legislative branch consists of the bicameral Congress (Article I), the executive branch consists of the president and subordinate officers (Article II), and the judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III).
The US Constitution is more than twice as old as the Alabama Constitution, which is the longest state constitution in the US and perhaps the world. Alabama's Constitution, with over 376,000 words, is more than four times as long as the Texas Constitution, the second-longest state constitution.
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US Constitution: 7 articles
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world. It has been amended 26 times and has 27 amendments in total. The US Constitution is made up of 7 articles that define the basic framework of the federal government.
Article I describes the legislative branch of the federal government, which is the bicameral Congress. It establishes the manner of election and the qualifications of members of each body. For example, representatives must be at least 25 years old, be a citizen of the United States for seven years, and live in the state they represent.
Article II describes the executive branch of the federal government, which consists of the President and subordinate officers.
Article III describes the judicial branch of the federal government, which consists of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. It also includes the concept of judicial review, which gives courts the power to interpret the Constitution and determine whether the actions of the government are constitutional.
Article IV, Article V, and Article VI embody the concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the relationship between the states and the federal government, and the process of constitutional amendment.
Article VII establishes the procedure for the ratification of the Constitution by the 13 original states. The ratification of the conventions of nine states was sufficient for the establishment of the Constitution.
While the US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing at the national level, Alabama has the longest state constitution in the US, with over 376,000 words and 12 new amendments.
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US Constitution: 27 amendments
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world. It has been amended 27 times, with the original text and all prior amendments remaining untouched. The first ten amendments, ratified in 1791, are collectively known as the Bill of Rights.
The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III).
The remaining articles embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relation to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment. Article VII establishes the procedure used by the 13 states to ratify the Constitution.
Amendments to the Constitution must be properly proposed and ratified before becoming operative. This process is designed to balance the need for change with the need for stability. An amendment may be proposed and sent to the states for ratification by either a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives or a national convention called by Congress on the application of two-thirds of the state legislatures.
The average ratification time for the first 26 amendments was 1 year and 252 days, while the average ratification time for all 27 amendments was 9 years and 48 days. The Twenty-sixth Amendment was ratified in the shortest time, at just 100 days, while the Twenty-seventh Amendment took the longest time, pending before the states for 202 years and 202 days.
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Indian Constitution: world's longest
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, with 146,385 words in its English-language version. The Monaco Constitution is the world's shortest written constitution, with 3,814 words. The bulkiness of the Indian Constitution can be attributed to several characteristics borrowed from the constitutions of many countries. The preamble of the Indian Constitution mentions its sources of derivation, which include historical documents such as the Indian Council Act of 1861, the Indian Independent Act of 1947, and the Government of India Act of 1858. The Indian Constitution also takes into account the diverse situations and requirements of Indians, encompassing all the specifics and descriptions of the authorities wielded by the government, legislature, and judiciary.
The Constitution of the United States, on the other hand, is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It consists of 27 amendments and seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. The United States Constitution has been amended 26 times, compared to the Indian Constitution, which has been amended 101 times.
The length of the Indian Constitution can also be attributed to the country's diversity in terms of language, race, religion, culture, and geography. The constitution-drafting committee was primarily composed of legal professionals, which may have contributed to the comprehensive nature of the document. The Government of India Act of 1935, which provided for the establishment of Indian federations and the division of powers between the center and state, also heavily influenced the Indian Constitution.
While the Indian Constitution is the world's longest written national constitution, some US states, such as Alabama, have lengthier constitutions. The Alabama Constitution of 1901, for example, has more than 376,000 words and numerous amendments that address exceptions to general statewide principles and special cases for specific localities. The accumulation of amendments and the level of detail in the Alabama Constitution have led to concerns about clarity, efficiency, and accountability.
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Frequently asked questions
The Alabama Constitution of 1901 is the longest written constitution in the US. It is more than four times as long as the Texas Constitution, which is the second longest.
The Alabama Constitution has more than 376,000 words.
The Alabama Constitution has 12 new amendments, but 70% of the amendments are local in nature.
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It was ratified in 1789 and consists of seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government.
