Fragile Democracies: Contested Power in the Era of Constitutional Courts
Twenty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the democratic ascendency of the post-Soviet era is under severe challenge. While fragile democracies in Eastern Europe, Africa, and East Asia face renewed threats, the world has witnessed the failed democratic promises of the Arab Spring. What lessons can be drawn from these struggles? What conditions or institutions are needed to prevent the collapse of democracy? This book argues that the most significant antidote to authoritarianism is the presence of strong constitutional courts. Distinct in the third wave of democratization, these courts serve as a bulwark against vulnerability to external threats as well as internal consolidation of power. Particular attention is given to societies riven by deep divisions of race, religion, or national background, for which the courts have become pivotal actors in allowing democracy to take root.
1121103124
Fragile Democracies: Contested Power in the Era of Constitutional Courts
Twenty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the democratic ascendency of the post-Soviet era is under severe challenge. While fragile democracies in Eastern Europe, Africa, and East Asia face renewed threats, the world has witnessed the failed democratic promises of the Arab Spring. What lessons can be drawn from these struggles? What conditions or institutions are needed to prevent the collapse of democracy? This book argues that the most significant antidote to authoritarianism is the presence of strong constitutional courts. Distinct in the third wave of democratization, these courts serve as a bulwark against vulnerability to external threats as well as internal consolidation of power. Particular attention is given to societies riven by deep divisions of race, religion, or national background, for which the courts have become pivotal actors in allowing democracy to take root.
72.0 In Stock
Fragile Democracies: Contested Power in the Era of Constitutional Courts

Fragile Democracies: Contested Power in the Era of Constitutional Courts

by Samuel Issacharoff
Fragile Democracies: Contested Power in the Era of Constitutional Courts

Fragile Democracies: Contested Power in the Era of Constitutional Courts

by Samuel Issacharoff

Hardcover

$72.00 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

Twenty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the democratic ascendency of the post-Soviet era is under severe challenge. While fragile democracies in Eastern Europe, Africa, and East Asia face renewed threats, the world has witnessed the failed democratic promises of the Arab Spring. What lessons can be drawn from these struggles? What conditions or institutions are needed to prevent the collapse of democracy? This book argues that the most significant antidote to authoritarianism is the presence of strong constitutional courts. Distinct in the third wave of democratization, these courts serve as a bulwark against vulnerability to external threats as well as internal consolidation of power. Particular attention is given to societies riven by deep divisions of race, religion, or national background, for which the courts have become pivotal actors in allowing democracy to take root.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781107038707
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication date: 06/17/2015
Series: Cambridge Studies in Election Law and Democracy
Pages: 312
Sales rank: 792,235
Product dimensions: 5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Samuel Issacharoff is the Reiss Professor of Constitutional Law at New York University School of Law. A pioneer in the field of law of the political process, he is the author of more than 100 articles, books, and other academic works, including the seminal The Law of Democracy, 4th edition (with Pamela S. Karlan and Richard H. Pildes, 2012). Issacharoff is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Table of Contents

Introduction: the burden of modern democracy; Part I. Militant Democracy: 1. The American paradox; 2. The boundaries of democracy; 3. Types of threats; 4. Responses to antidemocratic threats; 5. Judging militant democracy; Part II. Competitive Democracy: 6. Giving up power; 7. The promise of constitutional democracy; 8. Transition in South Africa; 9. The era of constitutional courts; 10. The constitutional bargain; 11. Can law protect democracy?; 12. Constitutionalism in the time of fragile democracies; Epilogue: democratic objectives.
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews