European University Institute Library

The language of constitutional comparison, Francois Venter

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

index present

non fiction

The language of constitutional comparison

electronic resource

dictionariesbibliography

1306276454

Francois Venter

Elgar monographs in constitutional and administrative lawElgarOnline eBooks

"In this incisive and thought-provoking book, Francois Venter illuminates the issues arising from the fact that the current language of constitutional law is strongly premised on a particular worldview rooted in the history of the states around the North Atlantic Ocean. Highlighting how this terminological hegemony is being challenged from various directions, Venter explores the problem that all constitutional comparatists face: that they all must use the same words to express different meanings. Offering a compact but comprehensive constitutional history, Venter investigates the ways in which the standard vocabulary does not fit comfortably in many contemporary constitutional orders, as well as examining how its cogency is increasingly being questioned. Chapters contextualize comparative constitutional methods to demonstrate how the language choices made by comparatists are shaped by their own perspectives, arguing that careful explanation of the meanings attached to constitutional terms is imperative in order to be persuasive or even understood. Tackling the foundational elements of the field, this book will be a critical read for constitutional scholars across the globe. It will also be of interest to high-level practitioners of constitutional law and political scientists for its investigation of terminology that is crucial to their work"--, Provided by publisher

Contents: Preface -- 1. Constitutional language spoken here -- 2. The history of contemporary constitutional language -- 3. Nation -- 4. Sovereignty -- 5. The state -- 6. Citizenship and nationality -- 7. Democracy -- 8. Rule of law -- 9. Constitutionalism -- 10. Judicial review -- 11. Constitutional comparison and terminology -- Epilogue -- Bibliography -- Index