Berggren Niclas

Why Constitutions Matter Berggren Niclas 1. izdevums

Marc Notes: Incl. bibl. ref.; Reprint of the 2000 edition by arrangement with City University Press, Stockholm. Publisher Marketing: As countries in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries change from colonialist to independent rule, or from a socialist to a democratic society, the need for a written constitution becomes apparent. Countries in the former Soviet Union, Africa, or nations once part of the British Empire face social, economic, and humanitarian problems as they experiment with democratic rule. Such issues as clearly defining where sovereignty lies, how much power is given to the people, and what rights are possessed by a nation's citizenry are new to these countries. While a constitution, being a man-made document, is subject to interpretation and does not always delineate in a lucid framework its parameters for future generations, it is clear that constitutions "do" matter. This volume, compiled under the direction of the City University of Stockholm, is an important study on the significance of constitutions and constitutional law in a democratic society. A number of scholars in law, political science, and economics have contributed to this volume. They include: James Buchanan, Aleksander Peczenik, Mats Lundstrom, Joakim Nergelius, Sverker Hard, Niclas Berggren, Peter Kurrild-Klitgaard, Wolfgang Kasper, and Erik Moberg. All add to the understanding of the intertwining roles of politics and the social sciences in a modern democratic state. They explore why a constitution is essential; the relationship between a constitution and a rational political system; the democratic principle of majority rule; why constitutional constraints are needed in a democratic state; recent constitutional reforms in the United Kingdom; the electoral system and its centrality in a democracy; evolution in constitutional change; competition within a federal structure; and the connection between politics and economics. "Why Constitutions Matter" is a fascinating and timely study of constitutionalism, and will be of interest to students of politics, law, economics, and sociology.

Contributor Bio:  Berggren, Niclas Niclas Berggren holds a doctorate in economics and is a research fellow in constitutional economics at the City University of Stockholm. He has written several articles on constitutional issues and economics. Contributor Bio:  Nergelius, Joakim Joakim Nergelius is an associate professor of law at Lund University. Contributor Bio:  Karlson, Nils Nils Karlson is a Swedish economist and political scientist, the founding president and CEO of The Ratio Institute, Stockholm, and a former president of the City University of Stockholm in Sweden. Prior to that, he served as lecturer in economics and political science at Uppsala University in Sweden.