The absence of a speaker of the House − a single individual but the linchpin in Congress − could produce a dangerous crisis in America’s constitutional democracy.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Constitutional democracy
Displaying 1 - 20 of 21 articles
Buthelezi should not be dismissed as a mere stooge during apartheid. Yet, he deserves little praise as an advocate for human rights and civil liberties.
By declaring a ‘constitutional county,’ local leaders assert they are creating a refuge from anti- or unconstitutional actions undertaken by an overzealous state or federal authority.
Parliament’s failure to live up to its constitutional mandate was noted by the State Capture Commission as having enabled former president Zuma’s regime to corrupt state behaviour with ease.
The rule of law embodies the rallying cry for the fair and democratic exercise of public power, buttressed by law and fundamental rights.
A monarch with absolute powers is just as dangerous as self-serving politicians in a democracy.
South Africa’s Constitutional Court should offer no apology for its split judgments.
After 1994 efforts were made to embed democracy. The focus was on policy and institution-building. What was missing was ensuring all South Africans were on board.
Corruption thrives in a destabilised state with weak institutions. South Africa cannot be allowed back to that space because there will be no turning back.
South Africa has many problems. But, as Jacob Zuma has found out, the strength of its rule of law and the independence of its judiciary should not be underestimated.
The judicial process in South Africa is hugely contested. This places an exaggerated burden on the courts to act with maximum independence and impartiality.
Zuma shares ignominy with former US president Donald Trump who, like him, subverted democracy while in office.
As a branch of government, the courts must naturally be accountable for the exercise of their power. The means of achieving their accountability must be balanced against their necessary independence.
In this case, the appropriate conclusion about the Constitutional Court’s finding against the Public Protector is that there’s much to be comforted by.
Drawing on Mandela’s legacy, Obama can help the world better understand the nature of threats to democracy.
The almost total ban on abortion in Ireland does not work to protect women’s health.
The politicians who removed Zuma are likely to be running the government for the next five years. Current events were their first test and offered a hint of how the country may be governed.
There are several steps South Africa’s governing party must take to strengthen democracy now that Jacob Zuma has resigned.
Both South Africa’s courts and its legislature have failed to do their bit in creating a culturally diverse society.
Arbitration hearings into the deaths of mentally ill patients has brought to light shocking cruelty and neglect on the part of South African officials.
Top contributors
-
Professor Emeritus of Public Law, University of Cape Town
-
Visiting Professor at the Business School, University of the Witwatersrand
-
Professor of Public Affairs, Tshwane University of Technology
-
Emeritus Professor of Private Law, University of Cape Town
-
Associate Professor in Public Law, University of Cape Town
-
Honorary Professor of International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand
-
Distinguished Professor and Derek Schrier and Cecily Cameron Chair in Development Economics, School of Economics and Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
-
Professor of Law, UNSW Sydney
-
Extraordinary Professor, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria
-
Professor of Urban Governance, University of the Witwatersrand
-
Professor of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand
-
Professor of Political Studies, University of Johannesburg
-
Lecturer in law, The Open University
-
Professor of Law, New York Law School
-
Head of Department, Public and Environmental Law Department, University of Limpopo
