Network analysis as an alternative way to interpret constitutions

Abstract

This article aims to identify networks of constitutional text structured in an imperceptible way. Constitutions has the power to reveal how its devices “dialogue” with each other, forming their own communicative communities. With the help from the network analysis methodology, an interpretative model of textual mapping is proposed based on internal references between the provisions of one Constitution. We use the Brazilian Constitution, whose text is very detailed, analytical and deals with various issues. As a result, a network was identified that included 174 connections between 95 articles of the Constitution and the existence of normative communities that share codes or communicative standards. The study demonstrates the strong possibility to found structuring axis of this communities and relates to the other issues that have reached constitutional stature, showing that the complexity of some Constitutions can be observed beyond its logical sequential structure.