Trials of the State

Law and the Decline of Politics

Jonathan Sumption author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Profile Books Ltd

Published:5th Mar '20

£8.99

Available to order, but very limited on stock - if we have issues obtaining a copy, we will let you know.

Trials of the State cover

Judges are meant to interpret laws but, increasingly, they make them.

A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER In the past few decades, legislatures throughout the world have suffered from gridlock. In democracies, laws and policies are just as soon unpicked as made. It seems that Congress and Parliaments cannot forge progress or consensus. Moreover, courts often overturn decisions made by elected representatives. In the absence of effective politicians, many turn to the courts to solve political and moral questions. Rulings from the Supreme Courts in the United States and United Kingdom, or the European court in Strasbourg may seem to end the debate but the division and debate does not subside. In fact, the absence of democratic accountability leads to radicalisation. Judicial overreach cannot make up for the shortcomings of politicians. This is especially acute in the field of human rights. For instance, who should decide on abortion or prisoners' rights to vote, elected politicians or appointed judges? Expanding on arguments first laid out in the 2019 Reith Lectures, Jonathan Sumption argues that the time has come to return some problems to the politicians.

brisk, entertaining, brilliant ... one of the great lawyers of our time -- Bryan Appleyard * the Sunday Times *
magisterial -- Edward Fennell * the Times *

ISBN: 9781788163736

Dimensions: 196mm x 128mm x 14mm

Weight: 128g

128 pages

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