Vigilance and destituent power in contemporary democracies

Abstract This study explores the concept of ‘destituent power’ and ‘recall procedures’, highlighting the relevance of philosophical thought for global constitutionalism and democratic oversight. Drawing on Paul Ricœur’s notions of ‘vigilance’ and the ‘political paradox’ (1957), I argue that destituent power offers an important mechanism for maintaining accountability within constitutional systems. The paper brings political philosophy into dialogue with an empirical constitutional study of three East Asian countries – Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. These non-Western experiences clarify the practical dynamics of destituent power and bring to light innovative, yet little-known, recall mechanisms that carry significance for global constitutionalism.