Ruling By Cheating - Governance in Illiberal Democracy

Populist, illiberal regimes that claim power in the name of relative majorities are often characterized as quasi-authoritarian. Analysing the constitutional system of illiberal democracies and illiberal phenomena in 'mature democracies', the author argues that this drift to mild despotism is not authoritarianism, but an abuse of constitutionalism.

List of contents

Introduction; 1. Placing illiberal democracy: Caesarism, totalitarian democracy and unfinished constitutionalism; 2. The emergence of the illiberal state; 3. Creating dependence; 4. They, the people; 5. Constitutional structure; 6. The fate of Human Rights; 7. Profiting from the rule of law; 8. Cheating: The legal secret of illiberal democracy; Index.

About the author

András Sajó is a University Professor at Central European University and a Former Vice-President-Judge at the European Court of Human Rights. He holds an Honorary Doctorate from the European University Institute and Visiting Professorships at Cardozo Law School, University of Chicago Law School, NYU Law School and Harvard Law School. His recent publications include Constitutional Sentiments (2011) and, with R. Uitz, The Constitution of Freedom (2017).

Summary

Populist, illiberal regimes that claim power in the name of relative majorities are often characterized as quasi-authoritarian. Analysing the constitutional system of illiberal democracies and illiberal phenomena in 'mature democracies', the author argues that this drift to mild despotism is not authoritarianism, but an abuse of constitutionalism.

Product details

• Authors: Andras Sajo, Andras (Central European University Sajo, András Sajó
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.09.2021
• EAN: 9781108948630
• ISBN: 978-1-108-94863-0
• No. of pages: 320
• Dimensions: 153 mm x 228 mm x 21 mm
• Series: Cambridge Studies in Constitutional Law
• Subjects: Education and learning > Teaching preparation > Vocational needs; Social sciences, law, business > Law > Public law, administrative procedural law, constitutional procedural law; PHILOSOPHY / Social, PHILOSOPHY / Political, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Process / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / Democracy, LAW / Legal History, LAW / Constitutional, Social & political philosophy, social and political philosophy, Political structures: democracy, Legal History, Laws of specific jurisdictions and specific areas of law, Laws Of Specific Jurisdictions, Constitutional & administrative law, Constitutional and administrative law: general