National Security: A Hegemonic Constitutional Value?
Rosalind Dixon (ed), 'Australian Constitutional Values' (Hart) (2018)
22 Pages Posted: 3 Aug 2018 Last revised: 12 May 2020
Date Written: 2018
Abstract
National Security is a foundational constitutional value. However, it does not have its roots in the rule of law, human rights or democratic liberal traditions. In fact, a constitutional value of national security is likely to conflict with these notions. Furthermore, when national security has featured in constitutional interpretation, it tends to dominate — if not override — conflicting values. In this chapter, we argue that national security may be conceived of as a hegemonic constitutional value and, as such, it calls for the development of stringent guidelines that operate to restrain its role in the constitutional space.
Keywords: National security, constitutional interpretation, australian constitution, freedom of political communication, fair trial
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation