Authoritarian liberalism as authoritarian constitutionalism

Abstract

Authoritarian liberalism captures the combination of politically authoritarian forms of governing in defence and pursuit of economically liberal ends. It is a phenomenon often associated with periods of economic crisis, such as the recent Euro-crisis. This paper suggests, however, that authoritarian liberalism is less exceptional than normal. This is more generally missed if the constitutional focus is on the relation between democracy and political liberalism rather than between democracy and capitalism. Whilst authoritarian forms of governing are more manifest in the exceptional response to economic crisis, authoritarian liberalism characterises the deep structure of the post-war constitutional settlement in Europe. This was based on a fear of democracy and popular sovereignty, in significant part due to the threat they were perceived to pose to a liberal economic order.