Description
Book SynopsisAfter the collapse of communism, some thirty countries scrambled to craft democratic constitutions. The constitutional model they chose was neither the parliamentary model found in most of Western Europe at the time, nor the presidential model of the Americas. This title questions the hasty adoption of semi-presidentialism by these democracies.
Trade Review"Cindy Skach has produced a compelling and important book. Combining theoretical discussion with sustained historical analysis, Borrowing Constitutional Designs is a well-written and -executed example of the 'new institutionalism' that seems to have swept across the social sciences in recent years."--Amalia D. Kessler, Law and Politics Book Review
Table of ContentsTables and Figures ix Preface xi INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 1: Constitutional Frameworks and Constitutional Law 12 CHAPTER 2: Parties,Leaders,and Constitutional Law in Ebert's Republic 30 CHAPTER 3: Divided Minorities and Constitutional Dictatorship in Weimar Germany 49 CHAPTER 4: Parties,Leaders,and Constitutional Law in de Gaulle's Republic 71 CHAPTER 5: Consolidated Majorities and Constitutional Democracy in the French Fifth Republic 93 CONCLUSION 118 Bibliography 129 Index 145
