Richard Bellamy

Political Constitutionalism

A Republican Defence of the Constitutionality of Democracy

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Judicial review by constitutional courts is often presented as a necessary supplement to democracy. This book questions its effectiveness and legitimacy. Drawing on the republican tradition, Richard Bellamy argues that the democratic mechanisms of open elections between competing parties and decision-making by majority rule offer superior and sufficient methods for upholding rights and the rule of law. The absence of popular accountability renders judicial review a form of arbitrary rule which lacks the incentive structure democracy provides to ensure rulers treat the ruled with equal concern and respect. Rights based judicial review undermines the constitutionality of democracy. Its counter-majoritarian bias promotes privileged against unprivileged minorities, while its legalism and focus on individual cases distort public debate. Rather than constraining democracy with written constitutions and greater judicial oversight, attention should be paid to improving democratic processes through such measures as reformed electoral systems and enhanced parliamentary scrutiny.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Cambridge University Press
• Seitenzahl: 282
• Erscheinungstermin: 9. Februar 2016
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 229mm x 152mm x 15mm
• Gewicht: 413g
• ISBN-13: 9780521683678
• ISBN-10: 052168367X
• Artikelnr.: 22782415

Autorenporträt

Richard is a writer of novels, movie screenplays, songs and much more besides. He produces and directs movies when the opportunity allows. He has degrees in English and Law. Writing was a path that allowed him to take care of his autistic son, who will ever change the way he perceives the world for the better. Richard is father of three and married to his writing partner and muse, Suha AL Khalifa.

Inhaltsangabe

Introduction
Part I. Legal Constitutionalism: 1. Constitutional rights and the limits of judicial review
2. The rule of law and the rule of persons
3. Constitutionalism and democracy
Part II. Political Constitutionalism: 4. The norms of political constitutionalism: non-domination and political equality
5. The forms of political constitutionalism: public reason and the balance of power
6. Bringing together norms and forms: the democratic constitution
Conclusion.

Rezensionen

'In this timely work, Political Constitutionalism, Richard Bellamy presents an original republican re-interpretation and defence of existing representative democratic constitutionalism against the legal constitutionalists, who would give the constitution to the courts, and against the deliberative democrats, who discount majority rule and party competition. It is a major contribution to the debate over democracy and constitutionalism.' James Tully, Distinguished Professor, Political Science, University of Victoria