Constituent Power

Abstract

Analyses the political and legal power of ‘the people’ in contemporary democratic societies Presents interdisciplinary perspectives from legal theory, political theory, and the history of ideas Brings together an international range of contributors from Europe, North America and Latin America Provides in-depth analyses of contemporary problems that afflict constitutional democracies globally Includes a lead essay by Benjamin Arditi, a leading global expert on populism and popular sovereignty Recent social and political developments, including the presidential elections in the United States, antidemocratic state policies in Hungary and Poland, and the political climate in the rest of Europe have brought questions relating to the position and composition of ’the people’ in constitutional democracies to the forefront. This book confronts these questions head on as leading scholars across the fields of law, legal theory, political theory and history explore the contemporary problems facing constitutional democracies. With a strong focus on constitutional law, this book examines the legal as well as the political power of ‘the people’ in constitutional democracies. Bringing together an international range of contributors from the USA, Latin America, the UK and continental Europe, it explores the complex relationship between constitutional democracy and ‘the people’. Contributors explore this relationship through the lens of radical democracy, engaging with the work of key figures such as Hannah Arendt, Carl Schmitt, Claude Lefort and Jacques Rancière.