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Since constitutional arrangements are what make politics work, they are a central concern of political theory. This book, now completely updated, was the first comprehensive exploration of the political theory of constitutions.
Jan-Erik Lane begins by examining the origins and history of constitutionalism and answers key questions such as: what is a constitution? Why are there constitutions? From where does constitutionalism originate? How is the constitutional state related to democracy and justice?
Constitutions play a major role in domestic and international politics in the early 21st century and an updated version of this classic textbook will introduce students to a number of different areas - theoretical, empirical and moral - which will aid their understanding of this important topic.
INTRODUCTION: CONSTITUTIONS AND RULE OF LAW – Two Interpretations of “Rule of Law”
SECTION I: CONSTITUTIONAL INSTITUTIONS
1. Two Great Constitutional Legacies
2. Mini and Maxi Constitutions in the World
3. Constitutional Law and the Legal Order
SECTION II. RULE OF LAW INSTITUTIONS – EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE
4. Relevance of Rule of Law: Some Outcomes
5. What Enhances Rule of Law?
SECTION III: CONSTITUTIONALISM IN POLITICAL THOUGHT
6. Emergence of Modern Constitutionalism around 1600
7. The Forerunners of the Principal-Agent Model of Politics
SECTION IV: A PRINCIPAL-AGENT INTERPRETATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY
8. The Principal-Agent Problem in Politics
9. Political Leadership: How to Restrain Political Agents
SECTION V. AGENCY AND LEADERSHIP: POLITICAL PARTIES AND STATE GOVERNMENTS
10. Political Parties, Party Government and Remuneration for Agency
11. Global and Regional Constitutionalism: Constraining the Governments of States
CONCLUDING REMARK: ACCOUNTABILITY IN POLITICS