Constitutional Reforms in the Digital Era: the Iceland’s Experience

Tatiana Vasilieva

doi:10.35750/2071-8284-2019-3-55-62

VAK Russia 12.00.02 UDC 34 CSCSTI 10.15

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CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS IN THE DIGITAL ERA: THE ICELAND’S EXPERIENCE Constitutional Reforms in the Digital Era: the Iceland’s Experience

АА Аа

Published in Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia · Volume 2019, Issue 3 · Pages 55–62 · Rubric: Constitutional law; constitutional litigation; municipal law

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35750/2071-8284-2019-3-55-62

Received: 08.10.2019 Accepted: 28.11.2025 Language of publication: RUS

Authors

Tatiana Vasilieva

ORCID

Tatiana Vasilieva

Academic degree: doctor of jurisprudence sciences

Science rang: docent

The Institute of State and Law of The Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow

ORCID

ABSTRACT

Digital era creates new opportunities for citizens for participation in political and legal decision-making process at various levels. Currently, the practice of involving citizens in drafting of laws and even constituent acts is spreading in foreign countries. The draft of the Constitution of Iceland of 2011 was adopted by the Constitutional Council, which included ordinary citizens, not representatives of the political elite. By the use of social media and the official website, the Council was able to establish direct contacts with the population and promptly respond to suggestions and comments of citizens. Not only citizens, but also foreigners could submit their proposals on issues which should be reflected in the text of the Constitution, comments on the wording of certain articles and participate in the stress test of the constitutional draft. This approach has legitimized the process of the Constitution drafting and created a sense of ownership among those who participated in the discussion. Although this draft has not become the Constitution because of the lack of the Parliament’s support, the Iceland’s experience may be interesting as a new approach to drafting laws in the digital era. The Icelandic experience was considered unprecedented and revolutionary. It showed that the process of Constitution drafting could be more open and democratic without incur-ring significant financial costs.

KEYWORDS

constitution, amendments, constituent assembly, referendum, digital tools

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Vasilieva T. A. Constitutional Reforms in the Digital Era: the Iceland’s Experience // Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. 2019. no. 3. pp. 55-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35750/2071-8284-2019-3-55-62. (Date of access 25.10.2026).

MLA

Tatiana Vasilieva. "Constitutional Reforms in the Digital Era: the Iceland’s Experience." Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia 2019.3 (2019): 55-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35750/2071-8284-2019-3-55-62.

APA

Vasilieva T. A. (2019). Constitutional Reforms in the Digital Era: the Iceland’s Experience. Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, 2019(3), 55-62. https://doi.org/10.35750/2071-8284-2019-3-55-62

Chicago

Tatiana Vasilieva. "Constitutional Reforms in the Digital Era: the Iceland’s Experience." Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia 2019, no. 3 (2019): 55-62. https://doi.org/10.35750/2071-8284-2019-3-55-62.

WIKI

{{cite journal | author = Vasilieva T. A. | title = Constitutional Reforms in the Digital Era: the Iceland’s Experience | journal = Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia | year = 2019 | volume = 2019 | issue = 3 | pages = 55-62 | doi = 10.35750/2071-8284-2019-3-55-62 }}

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CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS IN THE DIGITAL ERA: THE ICELAND’S EXPERIENCE Constitutional Reforms in the Digital Era: the Iceland’s Experience

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