[link|http://www.jcpa.org/dje/articles3/constisramer.htm|http://www.jcpa.org/.../constisramer.htm]

Constitutional Models
1. Constitution as Frame of Government and Protector of Rights e.g., English-speaking countries of the New World
2. Constitution as Code e.g., Continental European democracies, India
3. Constitution as Revolutionary Manifesto e.g., Soviet bloc countries, Yugoslavia
4. Constitution as Political Ideal e.g., Latin American and African states
5. Constitution as Adaptation of Ancient Traditions e.g., United Kingdom, Israel, Iran

As for what has transpired in Iraq you have a constitution based on example number 1 imposed on a population more suited to number 5. let me add the following quote from the above link

It is an even greater art to bring the constituency to endow the constitution with legitimacy. Constitutional legitimacy involves consent. It is not a commitment which can be coerced -- however much people can be coerced into obedience to a particular regime. Consensual legitimacy is utterly necessary for a constitution to have real meaning and to last. The very fact that, while rule can be imposed by force, constitutions can only exist as meaningful instruments by consent, is another demonstration that constitution-making is the preeminent political act.

while the one written in Iraq sounds good, lets give it a year or two to see what it turns into.
thanx,
bill

we had a constitution since 1776 and the blacks are treated equally to whites in America?
sure they are. You live where? Are you sure?:-)

Constitutions are better than basic law? Depends on the law. Talmudic law is refined over centuries on how man should treat his fellow man and man's relationship to the laws of G_d as laid down in the first 5 books. A similar notion to Supreme Court interpretation of the constitution refined by precedent over the last 228 years in America. The Jews have about 1800 written documented years of precededent and refinement. Does this equal justice for Israeli Arabs? Not anymore than a constitution does for Leanard Peltier, Dr. King, Rodney King and Mrs O.J. Simpson does in America.
Would I live in Israel? Only if it looked like she was going under or if I had to fight my way out of the camps here. Explain your position on how the rights enshrined in the basic law would be enforced if Israel enshrined those same rights in a "constitution" Oh yeah, Sharon could be appointed just like Scalia to their Supreme court. Laws are no better than the scoundrels that enforce them.
thanx,
bill