Which is the shortest constitution in the world?

As an expert in comparative political systems, I can provide you with an informative response regarding the shortest constitution in the world. However, before diving into the details, it's important to clarify some misconceptions that might arise from the statement provided. While the U.S. Constitution is indeed one of the oldest written constitutions still in use, it is not the shortest in terms of word count. In fact, the U.S. Constitution contains approximately 4,400 words, which is quite extensive compared to some other constitutions. Now, let's explore the actual shortest constitutions. The length of a constitution can vary greatly from one country to another, and the criteria for what constitutes the "shortest" can sometimes be subjective. It could be measured in terms of the number of words, pages, or articles. For the purpose of this discussion, we'll consider the number of words as the primary metric. The title of the shortest constitution is often attributed to the **Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica**. This constitution, which came into effect in 1978 when Dominica gained independence from the United Kingdom, is notably brief. It contains only 39 sections and is significantly shorter than the U.S. Constitution. The exact word count is not widely publicized, but it is generally accepted that it is the shortest in terms of word count among sovereign nations. Another contender for the title of the shortest constitution is the **Constitution of the State of Vatican City**. This constitution, known as the "Fundamental Law," was established in 2001 and contains 45 articles. While it is not as brief as the Constitution of Dominica, it is still considered one of the shortest constitutions in the world in terms of the number of articles. It's also worth mentioning that some city-states or smaller political entities might have constitutions that are even shorter, but when we talk about the shortest constitutions of sovereign nations, Dominica and Vatican City are often at the top of the list. It's important to note that the length of a constitution does not necessarily correlate with its effectiveness or the quality of governance it provides. A constitution's brevity or verbosity is more a reflection of the legal and historical context in which it was created, as well as the specific needs and preferences of the nation it governs. In conclusion, while the U.S. Constitution is a landmark document in the history of governance, it is not the shortest in the world. The distinction of having the shortest constitution is more likely to be held by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica, which is notably concise and succinct in comparison to many other constitutions globally.

The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world.