The temporal dimensions of animal constitutionalism: Symbolism, standstill and subjectivity

Abstract

An increasing number of jurisdictions have incorporated references to animals into their constitutions, granting non-humans some degree of constitutional relevance. This article examines the global trend of recognising animals in constitutions through a temporal lens. It distinguishes three temporal dimensions of animal constitutionalism: a symbolic rupture with a past of purely instrumental protection; a potential standstill effect that stabilises present levels of protection and a future-oriented shift towards recognising animals as constitutional subjects. By analysing these dimensions, the article reflects on how the constitutional recognition of animals unsettles conventional constitutional theory and signals a broader transformation of constitutionalism beyond anthropocentrism, drawing from recent theoretical developments in the field.