Constitutionalism and DemocracyThe eleven essays in this volume, supplemented by an editorial introduction, center around three overlapping problems. First, why would a society want to limit its own sovereign power by imposing constitutional constraints on democratic decision-making? Second, what are the contributions of democracy and constitutions to efficient government? Third, what are the relations among democracy, constitutionalism, and private property? This comprehensive discussion of the problems inherent in constitutional democracy will be of interest to students in a variety of social sciences. It illuminates particularly the current efforts of many countries, especially in Latin America, to establish stable democratic regimes. |
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Contents
Notes on contributors | |
Introduction | 1 |
Gag rules or the politics of omission | 19 |
Democracy as a contingent outcome of conflicts | 59 |
Consequences of constitutional choice reflections on Tocqueville | 81 |
Liberal constitutionalism and its critics Carl Schmitt and Max Weber | 103 |
Democracy and the rule of law some historical experiences of contradictions in the striving for good government | 131 |
Neofederalism? | 153 |
Precommitment and the paradox of democracy | 195 |
American constitutionalism and the paradox of private property | 241 |
From liberal constitutionalism to corporate pluralism the conflict over the enabling acts in Norway after the Second World War and the subsequent c... | 275 |
Arguments for constitutional choice reflections on the transition to socialism | 303 |
Constitutions and democracies an epilogue | 327 |
| 357 | |
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Common terms and phrases
According action American argued argument authority basic basis become believe binding choice citizens claim concept concern consequences consider constitutional constitutionalism course Court create debate decision democracy democratic difficult discussion distinction division economic effect effort elected equality established example existing fact Federalist forces freedom function fundamental future give groups guarantee hand Ibid idea important individual institutions interests issue judicial justice Labor least legislative less levelling liberal liberty limits Madison majority means nature norms organization outcomes particular Party period political popular positive possible preferences present Press principle problem proposal protection question rational reason reform regime regulation relation religious representatives result rule Schmitt seems sense serve social society structure suggests theory thing thought tradition turn understanding University values
Bibliographic information
| Title | Constitutionalism and Democracy Studies in Rationality and Social Change |
| Editors | Jon Elster, Rune Slagstad, Gudmund Hernes |
| Contributor | Fondation Maison des sciences de l'homme (Paris, France) |
| Edition | reprint, revised |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press, 1988 |
| ISBN | 0521457211, 9780521457217 |
| Length | 359 pages |
| Subjects | › › Philosophy / General Philosophy / Political Political Science / American Government / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |