Author: Macklem, Patrick

Source: International Journal of Constitutional Law, Volume 4, Number 3, July 2006 , pp. 488-516(29)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

The legality of militant democracy—Can a constitutional democracy act legally in an antidemocratic manner to combat threats to its existence?—is far from clear. The legality of legal pluralism—the extent to which international law authorizes political agendas that seek to implement various forms of autonomy—is also unclear. The elusive legality of these developments creates conditions for the abuse of power both by states defending democracy and by religious, cultural, and national communities seeking a measure of independence. Marked by a shared normative commitment to the paradox of self-determination, the relationship between legal pluralism and militant democracy provides insight into the legality of both developments in ways that might be overlooked by viewing each in isolation. This is revealed dramatically by the recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights in Refah Partisi v. Turkey, in which the Court upheld the banning of a political party that was advocating a form of legal pluralism that would introduce elements of Islamic law into the Turkish legal order. Refah establishes a legal site in which contestations over the constitutional boundaries of legal pluralism and militant democracy will take place in the future.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icon/mol017

Publication date: 2006-07-01

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• Published in association with the New York University School of Law, I"CON is dedicated to international and comparative constitutional law. I"CON has international editorial and advisory boards and an international focus. It examines an array of theoretical and practical issues and offers critical analysis of current issues and debates. In addition, I"CON looks at global trends that carry constitutional implications. It features scholarly articles by international legal scholars, judges, and people from related fields, such as economics, philosophy, and political science.

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