Constitution Writing, Religion and Democracy

What role do and should constitutions play in mitigating intense disagreements over the religious character of a state? And what kind of constitutional solutions might reconcile democracy with the type of religious demands raised in contemporary democratising or democratic states? Tensions over religion-state relations are gaining increasing salience in constitution writing and rewriting around the world. This book explores the challenge of crafting a democratic constitution under conditions of deep disagreement over a state's religious or secular identity. It draws on a broad range of relevant case studies of past and current constitutional debates in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and offers valuable lessons for societies soon to embark on constitution drafting or amendment processes where religion is an issue of contention.

Author: Aslı Ü. Bâli
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 02/02/2017
Pages: 428
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.60lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.94d
ISBN: 9781107070516

About the Author
Lerner, Hanna: - Hanna Lerner is a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at Tel Aviv University, Israel, where her research focuses on comparative constitution writing, religion and politics, global justice, and international labour rights.Bâli, Aslı Ü.: - Aslı Ü. Bâli is Professor of Law at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, where her research focuses on public international law, arms control, human rights and international humanitarian law, and comparative law of the Middle East.