Constitutionalism and democracy
Elster, Jon (ed.)
Constitutionalism and democracy - New York Cambridge University Press 1993 - 359p.
The eleven essays in this volume, supplemented by an editorial introduction, cluster around three overlapping problems. First, why would a society want to limit its own sovereign power by imposing constitutional constraints on democratic decision-making? Why should one generation feel bound by the decisions made by an earlier generation of "founders" or "fathers"? Secondly, what are the contributions
of democracy and constitutions to efficient government? Is there legitimate scope for discretionary governmental action, unbound by the popular will and constitutional constraints? Thirdly, what are the relations between demo cracy, constitutionalism and private property? Are constitutions only tools deployed in the self-interest of the property-holding class? Or are constitutional guarantees for property really in everybody's interest?
This comprehensive discussion of the problems inherent in constitutional democracy will be of interest to students and readers in law, political philosophy and history, and behavioural political science. It illuminates the current efforts of many countries, especially in Latin America, to establish stable democratic regimes.
9780521457217
Constitutional history
321.8 Con
Constitutionalism and democracy - New York Cambridge University Press 1993 - 359p.
The eleven essays in this volume, supplemented by an editorial introduction, cluster around three overlapping problems. First, why would a society want to limit its own sovereign power by imposing constitutional constraints on democratic decision-making? Why should one generation feel bound by the decisions made by an earlier generation of "founders" or "fathers"? Secondly, what are the contributions
of democracy and constitutions to efficient government? Is there legitimate scope for discretionary governmental action, unbound by the popular will and constitutional constraints? Thirdly, what are the relations between demo cracy, constitutionalism and private property? Are constitutions only tools deployed in the self-interest of the property-holding class? Or are constitutional guarantees for property really in everybody's interest?
This comprehensive discussion of the problems inherent in constitutional democracy will be of interest to students and readers in law, political philosophy and history, and behavioural political science. It illuminates the current efforts of many countries, especially in Latin America, to establish stable democratic regimes.
9780521457217
Constitutional history
321.8 Con