Publisher's Synopsis
This book provides an introduction to comparative constitutional law. It covers the constitutional systems of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The book is intended as a helpful guide for students who are for the first time exploring comparative constitutional law, and as a foundation for more advanced graduate-level courses. The books comparative approach is thematic: a general introduction to concepts of constitutional law is provided, and the different systems are then discussed by subject-matter under the following headings: Origins and main features of constitutions;Federalism, unitarism and decentralization; Parliaments and lawmaking; Governments, their parliaments and their heads of state; Judicial review and human rights. In addition, the book discusses the constitutional impact of the European Union, the system of human-rights protection under the European Convention on Human Rights, and the interaction between the EU, European human rights, and national constitutions. The book includes a table giving an overview of the systems discussed, a glossary, and a selection of important provisions from national constitutions and international treaties.
