Courts and Political Institutions: A Comparative View

The frontier between "law" and "politics" is not always clear-cut. Although courts are allowed to function broadly, governments and parliaments can also make independent decisions. Tim Koopmans compares the way American, British, French and German law and politics handle different issues. For example, highly "political" subjects in one country may constitute legal issues in another. Koopmans considers case law in a range of issues, including human rights protection, federalism, separation of powers, and the impact of European and international law.

The frontier between 'law' and 'politics' is not always clear-cut. A large area exists where courts operate, but where governments and parliaments also make decisions. Tim Koopmans compares the way American, British, French and German law and politics deal with different issues: in many instances subjects which are highly 'political' in one country constitute legal issues in another. He considers case law on a range of issues, including human rights protection, federalism, separation of powers, equal protection and the impact of European and international law.