Constitutions and Political Theory

by Jan-Erik Lane

Since constitutional arrangements are what make polities work, they are a central concern of political theory. This book is the first comprehensive exploration of the political theory of constitutions.
Jan-Erik Lane begins by examining the origins and history of constitutionalism, the doctrine that the state must be regulated by means of a set of institutions that guarantee citizen rights and procedural accountability. He then examines the structure of the state in order to identify the essential elements that constitutional institutions regulate. Lane asks why constitutions exist, and how they matter for society. Finally he seeks out the requirements for a fair and democratic constitution by referring to three key concepts in political justice, equality and the rule of law. The book also offers a comparative survey of formal constitutional arrangements in different countries, and an analysis of how constitutions develop in practice, through the implementation of constitutional and administrative law in a country's courts.
Constitutions and political theory is a thorough and coherent introduction to the key debates and concepts of the study of political theory and constitutional law. It provides both analysis and practical examples of how constitutions operate today.

294 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Jan-Erik Lane has taught politics and economics at many universities around the world. He is member of many editorial boards of political science journals. He has published some 300 books and articles. In 1996 (and 2009) he received the Humboldt Award by the Humboldt Stiftung.

He has made contributions to the study of culture, N-person game theory (power indices), voter volatility, comparative democracy theory and the principal-agent approach to public administration.