Relocating the Rule of Law

Description

In this set of interdisciplinary essays leading scholars discuss the future of the Rule of Law, a concept whose meaning and import has become ever more topical and elusive. Historically the term denoted the idea of 'government limited by law'. It has also come to be equated, more broadly, with certain goods suggested by the idea of legality as such, including the preservation of human dignity and other individual and social benefits predicated upon or conducive to a rule-based social order. But in both its narrow and broader senses the Rule of Law remains a much contested concept. These essays seek to capture the main areas and levels of controversy by 'relocating' the Rule of Law not just at the philosophical level, but also in its main contemporary arenas of application - both national, and increasingly, supranational and international.

Gianluigi Palombella is Professor of Philosophy of Law and Sociology of Law at the University of Parma and was 'Fernand Braudel' Senior Fellow at the European University Institute, Florence during 2006-7. Neil Walker is Regius Professor of Public Law at the University of Edinburgh, and was Professor of European Law at the European University Institute between 2000 and 2008

This book properly meets the need to respond to the changing conditions of the rule of law around the world. It should be of interest to any scholar who cares about the global development and the future of the rule of law. -- Chin-Shou Wang * The Law and Politics Book Review, Vol. 20, No.1 * As a whole...the collection surely contributes much. -- Kevin Walton * The Edinburgh Law Review, Volume 14, Issue 2 *