Constitutionalism 2030: A Prediction

Abstract

Constitutionalism is in crisis. And the crisis unfolds not only on a national or a regional level. It is a global phenomenon: Democracy is no longer on the rise, the Rule of Law appears weakened, political cohesion seems to erode. Human Rights Protection finds itself questioned, International Criminal Law struggles for broad recognition, international trade may have lost some of its appeal. Institutional actors find their authority questioned, established political parties are threatened by ever-new popular movements. But where to does the charted road lead? How will the “Crisis of Constitutionalism” unfold in the years to come? Nobody knows, of course. But at the same time: Nobody is too keen to make an educated guess either. This is the introduction to a volume that wants to remedy that. By giving nine eminent scholars in law and political science the opportunity to make their predictions, where the constitutionalist project will stand eight years from now, it creates a forum of deliberation that will not only aim at anticipating the developments in question but at the same time shape academic discourse on constitutionalism alongside it.

Keywords: Crisis; Constitutionalism; Democracy; Human Rights; Rule of Law; Global Trade; International Criminal Law; Political Parties; Public Institutions; Popular Movements