
Defence and the UK Constitution
Nigel D. White(Author)
Haus Publishing
Published on 4. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
129 pages
978-1-914979-21-7 (ISBN)
Description
Defence and security policy lies at the heart of the British state, but can appear entirely untrammelled by the constitution. In fact, when political and military leaders exercise their executive powers, Parliament and the judiciary have limited oversight, let alone control, over their actions.
Defence and the UK Constitution introduces key constitutional issues to a general audience and pinpoints the differences between the 'legal constitution' and the 'political constitution', with reference to the lack of accountability within modern British security structures. Professor Nigel White traces this imbalance back to the 1680 Bill of Rights and examines the evolution of war and emergency powers, placing them within the context of international law.
Advocating for a rebalancing of the efficient and democratic, as well as the legal and political, elements of the constitution, this short work aims to address the inherent 'defence paradox' in the UK constitution and to indicate which constitutional changes are needed to safeguard our democratic principles and limit excessive uses of discretionary power.
Defence and the UK Constitution introduces key constitutional issues to a general audience and pinpoints the differences between the 'legal constitution' and the 'political constitution', with reference to the lack of accountability within modern British security structures. Professor Nigel White traces this imbalance back to the 1680 Bill of Rights and examines the evolution of war and emergency powers, placing them within the context of international law.
Advocating for a rebalancing of the efficient and democratic, as well as the legal and political, elements of the constitution, this short work aims to address the inherent 'defence paradox' in the UK constitution and to indicate which constitutional changes are needed to safeguard our democratic principles and limit excessive uses of discretionary power.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Reading Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (UK-A)
Dimensions
Height: 178 mm
Width: 111 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
102 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-914979-21-7 (9781914979217)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Nigel D. White is Professor of Public International Law and Deputy Head of School, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nottingham. His expertise lies in the fields of United Nations law, peacekeeping law, sanctions, arms control law, the regulation of private security contractors, war powers, and military justice. He has written extensively on these topics on leading academic journals. His publications include Democracy Goes to War and The Law of International Organisations.
Content
1. Framing Defence
2. The Legal Constitution
3. The Political Constitution
4. Great Power Status
5. Conclusion
Notes
2. The Legal Constitution
3. The Political Constitution
4. Great Power Status
5. Conclusion
Notes