Overview

This collection identifies and discusses the connections between human dignity and democracy from theoretical, substantive, and comparative perspectives. Drawing on detailed analyses of national and transnational law, it provides timely insights into uses of human dignity to promote and challenge ideas of identity and solidarity.   Highlighting human dignity’s significance for inclusive democracy, the book’s thirteen chapters underline how threats to human dignity can also be a danger to democracy itself. Critical analysis of the commitment to protect the dignity of all human beings following the rise of nationalism, illiberalism and identity politics are thoroughly reviewed. The volume further addresses urgent questions about today’s democratic societies in the context of Europe’s multiple crises.   Written in an accessible style, this innovative book will be an excellent resource for both scholars of human dignity and human rights law, European law and politics, as well as non-experts looking to further their understanding of the topic. 

Full Product Details

Author:   Daniel Bedford ,  Catherine Dupré ,  Gábor Halmai ,  Panos Kapotas
Publisher:   Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
Imprint:   Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.10cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.570kg
ISBN:  

9781789902839

ISBN 10:   1789902835
Pages:   288
Publication Date:   22 March 2022
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
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Table of Contents

Contents: Introduction to Human Dignity and Democracy in Europe 1 Daniel Bedford and Catherine Dupré PART I THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS 1 Judicial activity/democratic activity: the democratising effects of dignity 19 Erin Daly 2 Human dignity and democracy in Europe: commitments, connections and red lines 36 Catherine Dupré 3 Subsidiarity and human dignity: democracy, authority and knowledge 60 Stephen Riley 4 Democratic transformations in the United Kingdom: the potential of human dignity 77 Daniel Bedford PART II IDENTITY 5 On the dilemma between human dignity and national identity 103 Cesare Pinelli 6 Human dignity as status politics 119 Stéphanie Hennette-Vauchez 7 The right to citizenship and human dignity 137 Maria Dicosola 8 Discourses of collective dignity, the state of exception and the twilight of the rule of law: the case of Poland and beyond 155 Przemyslaw Tacik PART III SOLIDARITY 9 The decline of human dignity and solidarity through the misuse of constitutional identity: the case of Hungary since 2010 177 Gábor Halmai and Nóra Chronowski 10 Bringing human dignity back to life: the case of austerity measures in a comparative perspective 200 Antonia Baraggia 11 Dignity at the margins: the contestatory dynamic of the principle of human dignity 225 Cólm Ó Cinnéide Conclusion: human dignity and the future of European democracy 248 Gábor Halmai and Panos Kapotas Index

Reviews

'An ambitious and successful effort to move the focus on constitutional democracy from citizens to human flourishing. Human Dignity and Democracy in Europe highlights the democratic and constitutional commitments to creating regimes that allow all residents to see themselves as involved in common public projects, and the threats to such commitments presented by the rise of illiberal constitutionalism, austerity, and COVID-19.' - Mark Graber, University of Maryland, US 'The legal relevance of dignity is challenged at a time of democratic backlash, identitarian crisis and exclusionary politics. The authors of this volume argue that dignity is both the pre-condition and ultimate aim of European democracy. They provide a balanced and realistic approach to the practical uses of dignity in law in Europe and elsewhere.' - Andras Sajo, Central European University, Hungary/Austria 'This valuable book, Human Dignity and Democracy in Europe, explores the connections between dignity and democracy, a topic that has not received much scholarly attention. Including contributions from academics of varying backgrounds who are experts in this field, it brings together a range of perspectives and offers impressive insights into this highly significant area, of especial value at the present time when in some Council of Europe states, such as Hungary, both democracy and dignity appear to be coming under threat.' - Helen Fenwick, Durham University, UK

'The legal relevance of dignity is challenged at a time of democratic backlash, identitarian crisis and exclusionary politics. The authors of this volume argue that dignity is both the pre-condition and ultimate aim of European democracy. They provide a balanced and realistic approach to the practical uses of dignity in law in Europe and elsewhere.' - Andras Sajo, Central European University, Hungary/Austria 'This valuable book, Human Dignity and Democracy in Europe, explores the connections between dignity and democracy, a topic that has not received much scholarly attention. Including contributions from academics of varying backgrounds who are experts in this field, it brings together a range of perspectives and offers impressive insights into this highly significant area, of especial value at the present time when in some Council of Europe states, such as Hungary, both democracy and dignity appear to be coming under threat.' - Helen Fenwick, Durham University, UK

Author Information

Edited by Daniel Bedford, Senior Lecturer, Portsmouth Law School, University of Portsmouth, Catherine Dupré, Associate Professor, Law School, University of Exeter, UK, Gábor Halmai, Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law, Law Department, European University Institute, Florence, Italy and Panos Kapotas, Senior Lecturer, Portsmouth Law School, University of Portsmouth, UK

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