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Measuring Constitutional Loyalty: Evidence from the Covid-19 Pandemic

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  • Gutmann, Jerg
  • Sarel, Roee
  • Voigt, Stefan

Abstract

Constitutional loyalty, the importance ascribed to complying with constitutional rules, is difficult to measure across countries due to differences in context, history, and culture. We overcome this challenge by exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic as an ideal setting in which societies around the world face a novel and similar public health crisis, inducing governments to adopt comparable policies. Based on a survey carried out in 53 countries around the world in 2021, we show that citizens' support for Covid-19 mitigation policies declines if courts signal doubts about their constitutionality. We further demonstrate that this effect of constitutional loyalty depends on citizens' characteristics, such as their confidence in the courts and their moral convictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Gutmann, Jerg & Sarel, Roee & Voigt, Stefan, 2022. "Measuring Constitutional Loyalty: Evidence from the Covid-19 Pandemic," ILE Working Paper Series 55, University of Hamburg, Institute of Law and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ilewps:55
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    Cited by:

    1. Jerg Gutmann & Katarzyna Metelska-Szaniawska & Stefan Voigt, 2024. "The comparative constitutional compliance database," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 95-115, January.
    2. Gutmann, Jerg & Metelska-Szaniawska, Katarzyna, 2026. "Populism and constitutionalism," ILE Working Paper Series 92, University of Hamburg, Institute of Law and Economics.
    3. Jaroslaw Kantorowicz, 2023. "Testing public reaction to constitutional fiscal rules violations," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 34(4), pages 483-509, December.
    4. Jerg Gutmann & Katarzyna Metelska-Szaniawska & Stefan Voigt, 2026. "Can new constitutions tighten the reins? The effect of constitutional change on constitutional compliance," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 207(1), pages 221-238, April.

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    JEL classification:

    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies

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