This book is based on an in-depth conversation between Howard Burton and Linda Colley, the Shelby M.C. Davis 1958 Professor of History at Princeton University. Linda Colley is a renowned expert on British, imperial and global history since 1700. After inspiring insights about Linda Colley’s teachers and professors who had a strong impact on her future career as a historian, this wide-ranging conversation provides a detailed examination of the global history and present state of constitutions and their impact.

This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Knowing the Rules, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:

1. Personal History - Grappling with identity


2. Constitutions, Part 1 - Written and unwritten


3. Constitutions, Part 2 - Use and abuses


4. Implications and Applications - Legal ramifications, language and possible next steps


5. Marching Onwards - The future of the past

About Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series (100 books):

Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research featuring world-leading researchers, including 3 Nobel Laureates, but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research. Howard Burton holds a PhD in physics and an MA in philosophy, and was the Founding Director of Canada’s Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.