What is a constitutional convention?

Question

And what would be it's purpose?

Answer 1

I assume that this is what you are referring to.



See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_convention_(political_meeting)



In part:



A constitutional convention is a gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an existing constitution. A general constitutional convention is called to create the first constitution of a political unit or to entirely replace an existing constitution. An unlimited constitutional convention is called to revise an existing constitution to the extent that it deems to be proper, whereas a limited constitutional convention is restricted to revising only the areas of the current constitution named in the convention's call, the legal mandate establishing the convention.

Answer 2

Aside from the meaning already given in relation to the US constitution, a "constitutional convention" might also refer to the implicit, traditional and "conventional" which exist beyond a codified constitution (or outside written law in an uncodified constitution). The term is usually used in the UK because of the uncodified nature of the UK's constitutional arrangements.



For example, it is a constitutional convention that the reigning monarch chooses the leader of the party with the greatest majority in the House of Common to be her Prime Minister. It is not a rule of law that she *must*, and in emergency situations she might not (as in WWII when Churchill has chosen).



If a constitutional convention is ignored, no law would be broken, but the action would not be perceived as "right" or "proper" and could result in a constitutional crisis.

Answer 3

It's one method to create or amend a constitution. It has happened various time in the history of the U.S., mostly just for state constitutions. In Article V of the U.S. Constitution, it also is a method to amend the Constitution without Congress being involved. It takes 2/3 of the legislature of the States to call for a Convention, and then 3/4 of the States to approve an amendment.



The more common method used to amend the U.S. Constitution is for each house of Congress to approve with a super majority vote (2/3) a proposal for a Constitutional amendment, and then (again) 3/4 of the states to approve.

Answer 4

The Constitution permits the calling of a convention to propose amendments upon "application" of the legislatures of two thirds of the states. Presumably the application would be made to Congress, although the Constitution is silent on just how the application would be made, on how the delegates would be chosen, and how many there would be. (The original constitutional convention convened in 1787 permitted the colonies to send as many delegates as each wished. They were appointed by the various legislatures.) Amendments could be adopted by a three fourths majority of those attending.

Answer 5

The constitution has two way to add amendments Congress passing one with super majority and majority of states approving it or a State Convention can be called. None has ever been called but in theory one could change any part of Constitution.