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    Political Constitutionalism

    £27.89
    £30.99
    Price-Match is available in-store for recommended titles in CCCU module handbooks
    ISBN: 9780521683678
    Products specifications
    Attribute nameAttribute value
    AuthorBELLAMY, RICHAR
    Pub Date13/09/2007
    Binding7
    Pages282
    Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
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    This book questions the effectiveness and legitimacy of rights-based judicial review by constitutional courts.

    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.