Constitutional Reform as a Remedy for Political Disenchantment in Australia - The Discussion We Need (Paperback, 1st ed. 2020)

The central argument of this book explores the disillusionment that Australians feel with regard to the way politics is conducted. The book explores causes of that disillusionment, and argues that because these are ultimately traceable to defects in the constitution, it is only through constitutional reform that government can be improved. This book argues that the current approach to constitutional debate suffers from the flaw of being anti-theoretical, in the sense that it is not grounded in any set of values, and is afflicted by a tendency to consider practical objections to reform before considering the moral case for it. This book argues that instead of accepting the constitution as it is, it is time we began to discuss how it ought to be, taking human dignity as the fundamental value upon which a constitution should be based. It then puts the case for change in a number of areas, including reform of the electoral system, enhanced parliamentary scrutiny of the executive, the inclusion in the constitution of a full bill of rights, the abolition of the federal system, realisation of the rights of Indigenous people, codification of constitutional conventions either in conjunction with or separately from an Australian republic, reform of the rules of standing in constitutional matters and, finally, the need to improve civics education. This book is designed to be provocative in the way that it directly challenges current academic orthodoxy. This book also outlines a proposed draft new constitution. This book will be of interest to anyone who is concerned about how Australia is governed and why it has been so difficult to achieve constitutional reform.

General

Imprint:	Springer Verlag, Singapore
Country of origin:	Singapore
Release date:	April 2021
First published:	2020
Authors:	Bede Harris
Dimensions:	235 x 155mm (L x W)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	267
Edition:	1st ed. 2020
ISBN-13:	978-981-15-3601-4
Categories:	Books > Law > Laws of other jurisdictions & general law > Civil law (general works) Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political structure & processes > Elections & referenda Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political structure & processes > Democracy Books > Law > Laws of other jurisdictions & general law > Courts & procedure > General Promotions
LSN:	981-15-3601-5
Barcode:	9789811536014

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!