Talk:List of constitutions by age

Not Oldest Countries

This is not a list of oldest countries, it is a list of oldest constitutions. It seems to imply (for example) that France did not exist before 1958, which is clearly ridiculous. Also, how is it that a country is defined by its government, not its borders? Even Wikipedia seems unclear about the definition, judging by the number of {{fact}} templates in country.

I think this article has some value, but it would be less ambiguous to move it to List of constutions by age or similar. — Tivedshambo (talk) 18:13, 30 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed. The title of this article is misleading, and the definition presented is clearly POV based. I would also suggest that the two criteria listed: "continuous form of government" and "how long it has had its current constitution" can be contradictory. The article should be defined by one or the other, and the title changed to reflect this. Resolute 21:46, 30 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Page moved. Needs clean-up still. — Tivedshambo (talk) 22:10, 30 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I agree with the OP, this article is just oldest constitutions. How can the US be No. 2. 18:53, 20 September 2008 (UTC)~~ —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.148.160.63 (talk)

UK's Unwritten "Constitution"

The date given for the U.K. seems problematic. Its ‘unwritten’ constitution is made up of various statutes and pieces of common law from before and after the Act of Union and so on (in other words before the various countries were united as the 'United Kingdom'). Consequently, it seems odd to suggest that the current constitution only came into being in 1927. It doesn’t really lend itself to a list of constitutions at all. Perhaps instead of saying it has no constitition, it should be left out altogether? It’s a tricky one. (Barnoir 05:34, 5 December 2006 (UTC))[reply]

I would say if they ever did finally codify their laws into a written constitution, that should be the date on this list, followed by an asterisk and an explanatory note. -114.91.96.194 (talk) 08:11, 11 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Islamic Constitution

This article is missing the actual first constitution which was really the constitution the Muslim Prophet Rasulullah (Peace Be Upon Him) made with the Jews when the Muslims and Jews were both living in the city Madinah which is in the country of Saudi Arabia, and is still there. They both agreed on some laws, which the Prophet wrote down to show the city what they had decided.This became the first written constitution of the world. Darkazul L. Daemonius 13:33, 31 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure that would count as a constitution in the first place, but it certainly wasn't treated as binding on the Caliphs, let alone that the Caliphate has been extinct at least since the fall of the Ottoman Empire (which didn't use this hypothetical constitution, either, though.) -114.91.96.194 (talk) 08:11, 11 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Polish Constitution

This article is invalid - it's missing Polish constitution - 3rd May 1971.

Poland was carved up not half a century later and yet they're the sixth oldest countries? This should be constitutions, not countries. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.76.33.4 (talk) 19:33, 9 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'm rather sure the constitution has been altered since the fall of Communism in the country. -114.91.96.194 (talk) 08:11, 11 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Uruguayan Constitution

uruguaian constitution is older than belgium's. first uruguaian constitution: 18th july 1830, belgium 1831 so if this list is right uruguay would be the 9th. --Uruagent (talk) 01:57, 24 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

oh and by the way, if someone wants to edit the page adding what i said on my last post, uruguay is a presidential republic. if no one does it i guess ill edit it myself.

The French Constitution

Is not the Constitution of 1791 in any way, shape or form. France has regularly overthrown its government or lost a major war, followed by a new draft government and that should be reflected. -114.91.96.194 (talk) 08:11, 11 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed, but this is a list of constitutions, and it seems confused over whether they are historical of current constitutions. Should we start with the Magna Carta (still partially in force), or something older? Dbfirs 19:16, 24 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I suggest adding two categories for each country: "Date of original constitution" and "date of latest major revision". These solves part of the problem. Kanaiken (talk) 09:41, 19 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]