Hardback
Rethinking the Separation of Powers
Democratic Resilience in Troubled Times
9781035315796 Edward Elgar Publishing
Exploring the evolution and resilience of systems for the separation of powers, this prescient book rethinks how different architectures can defend democracies against adverse shocks and help them adapt to change. Frank Vibert cuts across many fields of study to address the central problem in modern government of how to balance the reasoning of experts with that of electoral politics.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
Exploring the evolution and resilience of systems for the separation of powers, this prescient book rethinks how different architectures can defend democracies against adverse shocks and help them adapt to change. Frank Vibert cuts across many fields of study to address the central problem in modern government of how to balance the reasoning of experts with that of electoral politics.
Beginning from the original separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, Vibert explores modern alternatives to this system. In particular, he discusses consociationalism, based on the need for political consensus for major decisions, as well as rights-based approaches. Looking to the future, he identifies important areas for improvement in these systems, such as better defences against corruption and stronger representation for the marginalised as well as the need to address income and wealth differences. Ultimately, he shows that the separation of powers is a learning system that can adapt to the tasks of modern government, especially by combining the reasoning of experts with political strategy without reverting to technocracy.
Rethinking the Separation of Powers is an essential read for students and scholars of political science, law, behavioural science, social psychology and philosophy. Addressing central problems in modern government, it will also be vital for researchers interested in strategies for effective policy-making.
Beginning from the original separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, Vibert explores modern alternatives to this system. In particular, he discusses consociationalism, based on the need for political consensus for major decisions, as well as rights-based approaches. Looking to the future, he identifies important areas for improvement in these systems, such as better defences against corruption and stronger representation for the marginalised as well as the need to address income and wealth differences. Ultimately, he shows that the separation of powers is a learning system that can adapt to the tasks of modern government, especially by combining the reasoning of experts with political strategy without reverting to technocracy.
Rethinking the Separation of Powers is an essential read for students and scholars of political science, law, behavioural science, social psychology and philosophy. Addressing central problems in modern government, it will also be vital for researchers interested in strategies for effective policy-making.
Critical Acclaim
‘At a time when democracy is altogether in grave peril and reinventing itself anew, Frank Vibert brilliantly explores the old promise and new potential of a simple idea: that we are better off with power being diffused yet joined-up institutionally and constitutionally and that history has much to teach us in this regard. A must read for anyone committed to the renewal of democratic politics in the 21st century.’
– Kalypso Nicolaïdis, European University Institute, Italy
‘How should we organize the institutions of government in democratic societies and multi-level systems like the European Union? With crystal clear style and unique conceptual precision, Frank Vibert explores the separation of powers. He provides a vibrant historical journey of this classic architecture, a forensic analysis of its current challenges, an appraisal of alternative options, and a forward-looking assessment of where the model of separation of powers may and should be going in the near future.’
– Claudio M Radaelli, University College London, UK and European University Institute, Italy
– Kalypso Nicolaïdis, European University Institute, Italy
‘How should we organize the institutions of government in democratic societies and multi-level systems like the European Union? With crystal clear style and unique conceptual precision, Frank Vibert explores the separation of powers. He provides a vibrant historical journey of this classic architecture, a forensic analysis of its current challenges, an appraisal of alternative options, and a forward-looking assessment of where the model of separation of powers may and should be going in the near future.’
– Claudio M Radaelli, University College London, UK and European University Institute, Italy
Contents
Contents
Preface
Introduction: the architectures for democratic choice
1 The classic concept: an architecture for learning
2 What has changed: the contemporary setting for the
separation of powers
3 Alternatives: consociationalism and accommodation
4 Alternatives: rights-based directional architecture
5 The separation of powers and the architecture of learning
6 Challenges: approaches to updating
7 The separation of powers compared: resilience
8 The continuing importance of a democratic architecture
for learning
References
Preface
Introduction: the architectures for democratic choice
1 The classic concept: an architecture for learning
2 What has changed: the contemporary setting for the
separation of powers
3 Alternatives: consociationalism and accommodation
4 Alternatives: rights-based directional architecture
5 The separation of powers and the architecture of learning
6 Challenges: approaches to updating
7 The separation of powers compared: resilience
8 The continuing importance of a democratic architecture
for learning
References
