The myth
"The people voted for it – so the Constitution is perfect and nothing in it needs to change."
The facts
A referendum confers legitimacy – the right to speak in the name of the people. But legitimacy is not the same as perfection.
No constitution in history has been perfect:
- US Constitution (1787) – enshrined slavery. It took 78 years and a civil war to pass the Thirteenth Amendment. There have been 27 amendments in 237 years
- French Constitution – the current one is the fifth (1958). Each of the previous four addressed the challenges of its time and became outdated
- Kazakhstan's Constitution (1995) – was optimal for the transition period. But over 30 years, contradictions accumulated: the 2022 reform introduced 56 amendments, and the 2026 Constitution changes 84% of the text
Why this happens:
- A constitution is a compromise among groups, interests, and values
- Society changes – what worked in 1995 does not work in 2026
- Practice reveals problems that cannot be foreseen at the 2026 Constitutioning stage
Mechanisms for renewal in the 2026 Constitution
The Constitution provides for its own updating:
- Amendments – through the Kurultai (qualified majority) or referendum
- Constitutional Court – interprets provisions, adapting them to new realities
- Khalyk Kenesi – a feedback channel from society, with the right of legislative initiative
- Constitutional laws – specify principles without changing the Constitution itself
Why this myth exists
There is a desire for a "final answer": vote once and never have to think again. But a constitution is a living document. Criticism and renewal are signs of a mature society, not disrespect.