Constitutional Revolution: The Link Between Constitutionalism and Progress - Softcover

Preuss, Ulrich K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0391038540 ISBN 13: 9780391038547

Publisher: Prometheus Books, 1995

Synopsis

In the postcommunist countries of East and Central Europe, there has been a surprising revival of the concept of constitutionalism. Communism was dismantled by revolutions that were very different from our traditional expectation, initiated not by general strikes or by any kind if mass violence. Instead, it was the creative invention of institutions and rules that enabled the masses to make a "soft" break with the ancien regime. Core elements of constitutionalism - the rule of law, separation of powers, and individual human rights - were among the primary goals of the emerging new political elites. In fact, these revolutions were, from their inception, constitutional revolutions.

Preuss places these constitutional revolutions in a broader conceptual and historical context and analyzes the largely neglected connections between the concept of constitutionalism and the idea of progress.

He sees serious new challenges to present-day constitutionalism and opens the debate as to whether the modern constitutional state will be able to cope. The result is a fresh exciting new look at modern constitutionalism, its strengths and weaknesses.

About this title

About the Author

Ulrich K. Preuss is Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law at the University of Bremen and Director of the Center for European Law and Policy. He served as an advisor to the commission that prepared the draft for the constitution for the unified Germany and is a member of the Constitutional Court of the Land in Bremen. Professor Preuss has held various appointments in the United States including Visiting Scholar at Princeton University (1980) and Visiting Volkswagen Professor at the New School for Social Research in New York (1991)

Edition details

• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: German
• ISBN 10: 0391038540
• ISBN 13: 9780391038547
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 136