Deciphering the Genome of Constitutionalism
The Foundations and Future of Constitutional Identity
Published on 13. March 2024
388 pages
978-1-009-47321-7 (ISBN)
Description
Constitutional identity has become one of the most important and hotly contested concepts in contemporary constitutional theory and practice. It has been repeatedly invoked in debates concerning EU integration, constitutional reform and revolution, and the spread of ethno-nationalist populism, democratic backsliding, and constitutional retrogression. Yet, the concept's precise foundations, meaning, scope, and dynamics of continuity and change remain somewhat unclear and under-explored. This contemporary and definitive volume aims to address this stark gap. Featuring some of the world's leading scholars of comparative constitutionalism, constitutional theory, and constitutional politics, this book provides a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind theoretical, comparative, normative, and empirical account of the concept of constitutional identity. It will be of great interest to scholars, students, jurists, and constitutional drafters alike.
Reviews / Votes
'Constitutions do not just constitute and regulate public power. They shape our collective identity. This volume brings together leading constitutional scholars from around the world to interrogate this idea of 'constitutional identity' - including its conceptual foundations and empirical manifestations in a wide range of jurisdictions. It should be read by all those interested in how to create and sustain stable constitutional systems in 'which we the people' see ourselves in our founding document and practices.' Rosalind Dixon, Scientia Professor of Law, University of New South Wales 'Gary Jacobsohn's concept of 'constitutional identity' has proven central both for comparative constitutional studies and for grasping key political struggles in most nations today. Building on Jacobsohn's brilliant work, the stunning array of scholars assembled by Ran Hirschl and Yaniv Roznai in this volume illuminate major theoretical and political issues throughout history and around the world.' Rogers M. Smith, Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of Pennsylvania 'Combining nation-specific and conceptual studies, this valuable collection consolidates and deepens our understanding of the place constitutional identity has in today's world. Showing that constitutional identities are dynamic, contested, and politically constructed, the essays also probe the frontier where constitutional identity meets the universal claims of constitutionalism as such. The book is a fitting tribute to Gary Jacobsohn's contributions to comparative constitutional law.' Mark Tushnet, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law, Harvard Law School 'This book belongs on the desk of every scholar of comparative constitutionalism. It showcases leading voices in the field, each digging deeply into the core of constitutions to excavate novel insights that will endure for years to come. A must-read, curated by two of the best constitutionalists in the world.' Richard Albert, Professor of World Constitutions, The University of Texas at AustinMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
File size
2,84 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-009-47321-7 (9781009473217)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Ran Hirschl | Yaniv Roznai
Deciphering the Genome of Constitutionalism
The Foundations and Future of Constitutional Identity
Book
03/2024
Cambridge University Press
€131.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
Content
Introduction - the quandaries and parables of constitutional identity Ran Hirschl and Yaniv Roznai; Part I. Foundations, Theory and Concepts: 1. Rousseau's sovereignty and the concept of constitutional identity Howard Schweber; 2. Constitutional identity - cracking the genetic code of the constitution Monika Polzin; 3. Constitutional identity as discourse: mis-identity and dis-identity Jaclyn L. Neo; 4. Constitutional identity and constitutional revolution Stephen Gardbaum; 5. The death of the constituent power Victor Ferreres Comella; 6. Constitutional identity as a source of ontological security Joanne Wallis; 7. The crisis in, and of, constitutional identity Upendra Baxi; Part II. Comparative Perspectives: 8. Confucian constitutional identity Bui Ngoc Son; 9. '(A-)Religious and democratic' militant dual constitutional identities and the turn to illiberalism: the case of France Eugenie Merieau; 10. Constitutional identity in Bangladesh - complexity and contestations Ridwanul Hoque; 11. Clashing Identities? Traditional authority and constitutionalism in Africa Heinz Klug; 12. Imposed revolution? 'August Revolution,' 'Imposed Constitution,' and the identity of the constitution of Japan Keigo Komamura; 13. India - a constitution in search of an identity Gautam Bhatia; Part III. American Constitutionalism and Constitutional Identity: 14. 'This is (not) who we are' - reflections on 1619 and the search for a singular constitutional identity Sanford Levinson; 15. Constitutional aspirationalism revisited Justin Buckley Dyer; 16. The constitution at war with itself - race, citizenship, and the forging American constitutional identity George Thomas; 17. Constitutional identity, constitutional politics, and constitutional revolutions Mark A. Graber; 18. American constitutional exceptionalism, constitutional identity, and democracy Miguel Schor; Part IV. Emerging Trends: 19. Constitution making and disharmonic identity Asli Bali and Hanna Lerner; 20. Constitutional identity and unamendability Oran Doyle; 21. Illiberal constitutionalism and the abuse of constitutional identity Gabor Halmai and Julian Scholtes; 22. Deconstructing constitutional identity in light of the turn to populism Michel Rosenfeld; 23. Unconstitutional constitutional identities in the European Union Pietro Faraguna; 24. What counts as constitutional identity? Mila Versteeg; 25. Contrariness and contradiction in constitutional law Zachary Elkins and Tom Ginsburg; 26. Conclusion - the past, present and future of constitutional identity Christina Bambrick and Connor M. Ewing.
