Constitutionalism is `a complex of ideas, attitudes, and patterns of behavior elaborating the principle that the authority of government derives from and is limited by a body of fundamental law`. A political organization is constitutional to the extent that it `contain[s] institutionalized mechanisms of power control for the protection of the i......
• (n.) The theory, principles, or authority of constitutional government; attachment or adherence to a constitution or constitutional government.
The belief that governments will defer to the rules and principles enshrined in a constitution and uphold the rule of law.
Con`sti·tu'tion·al·ism noun The theory, principles, or authority of constitutional government; attachment or adherence to a constitution or constitutional government. Carlyle. 
[n] - a constitutional system of government (usually with a written constitution) 2. [n] - advocacy of a system of government according to constitutional principles
noun advocacy of a system of government according to constitutional principles
the principles of constitutional government or adherence to them. · constitutional rule or authority.