Use of Social Contract Arguments in Decolonization and Postwar Constitutionalism (1945–1975)

1. UN Charter frames legitimacy as “We the peoples”

   Jun 26, 1945Labels: UN Charter, Peoples Sovereignty

   • UN Charter Preamble
   • IPI Observatory

2. Japan’s postwar constitution is promulgated

   Nov 3, 1946Labels: Japan Constitution, Popular Sovereignty

   • NDL Japan
   • Japan Constitution

3. India’s Objectives Resolution asserts power from the people

   Jan 22, 1947Labels: Objectives Resolution, Constituent Assembly

   • India Preamble
   • Debates Archive

4. Universal Declaration links dignity and rights to peace

   Dec 10, 1948Labels: Universal Declaration, UN General

   • UN UDHR
   • UDHR Overview

5. India adopts its constitution with “We, the People”

   Nov 26, 1949Labels: Indian Constitution, Preamble

   • Britannica India
   • MyGov Preamble

6. India’s constitution enters into force

   Jan 26, 1950Labels: Constitution Commencement, Republic of

   • Britannica India
   • India Constitution

7. Ghana’s republican constitution begins postcolonial self-rule

   Jul 1, 1960Labels: Ghana Constitution, Republic Status

   • GhaLII 1960
   • Ghana Constitution

8. UN declares a right to decolonization and self-determination

   Dec 14, 1960Labels: UN Resolution, Self-Determination

   • UN Audiovisual
   • Res 1514

9. Kenya’s independence constitution takes effect

   Dec 12, 1963Labels: Kenya Constitution, Independence Day

   • Berkeley Lawcat
   • Kenya 1963

10. UN adopts the two International Covenants on Human Rights

    Dec 16, 1966Labels: ICCPR, ICESCR

    • UN AVL ICCPR
    • UN AVL ICESCR

11. Human-rights covenants enter into force, extending postwar “contract” expectations

    Mar 23, 1976Labels: Covenants In, Treaty Law

    • ICCPR
    • ICESCR

12. Algeria promulgates a new constitution after a referendum

    Nov 22, 1976Labels: Algeria Constitution, Referendum

    • Algeria 1976
    • Algeria RefData