Striking a balance between the aspirations of individual freedom and the demands of organized society is a central quest of constitutional law. Germany and America provide different paths toward accomplishment of this equilibrium, revealing two paths to freedom and its relation to community. This work is addressed to philosophers of law, political theorists, constitutional lawyers, and everyone interested in protecting human rights and learning the meaning of human personality and freedom as expressed in democratic constitutional regimes. Eberle challenges current thinking in the field by setting out alternative visions of human freedom, dignity, personality and expression; demonstrating that use of comparative methodology has much to offer critical examination of major constitutional and public policy issues; and showing that different conceptions of fundamental ideas are possible. Exploring the nature of human personality as reflected in the constitutional law of two important constitutional democracies, Eberle inquires into human values and human freedom, across national borders, in pursuit of a better understanding of human potential and the nature and limit of freedom. The central personality traits examined comprise human dignity; autonomy; self-determination and identity, including privacy, computer privacy, control over personal information, and maintenance of one's image, words, and reputation; abortion; and freedom of expression, including defamation, offensive speech, hate speech, and burning of the flag. The book weaves between German and American law in examining these questions, providing a unique comparative perspective on the idea of human personality and freedom.

The role of religion as a contentious and motivating force in society is examined here through the lens of the church-state dynamic in countries with three very different approaches to this crucial relationship. Focusing on the United Kingdom, where there is official recognition of one religion by the state, the United States, where law imposes a separatism between religion and the state and Germany, where there is cooperation between the church and state, this book compares these three models. It describes the components of each model, illustrates their operation and uses case law to examine what each model might learn from the other. Controversial and timely issues such as the refusal of medical treatment on religious grounds, the wearing of Islamic headscarves and ritual animal slaughter are discussed with new insight, providing a comprehensive review of varied approaches to law, government and religious freedom.

The role of religion as a contentious and motivating force in society is examined here through the lens of the church-state dynamic in countries with three very different approaches to this crucial relationship. Focusing on the United Kingdom, where there is official recognition of one religion by the state, the United States, where law imposes a separatism between religion and the state and Germany, where there is cooperation between the church and state, this book compares these three models. It describes the components of each model, illustrates their operation and uses case law to examine what each model might learn from the other. Controversial and timely issues such as the refusal of medical treatment on religious grounds, the wearing of Islamic headscarves and ritual animal slaughter are discussed with new insight, providing a comprehensive review of varied approaches to law, government and religious freedom.

Striking a balance between the aspirations of individual freedom and the demands of organized society is a central quest of constitutional law. Germany and America provide different paths toward accomplishment of this equilibrium, revealing two paths to freedom and its relation to community. This work is addressed to philosophers of law, political theorists, constitutional lawyers, and everyone interested in protecting human rights and learning the meaning of human personality and freedom as expressed in democratic constitutional regimes. Eberle challenges current thinking in the field by setting out alternative visions of human freedom, dignity, personality and expression; demonstrating that use of comparative methodology has much to offer critical examination of major constitutional and public policy issues; and showing that different conceptions of fundamental ideas are possible.

Exploring the nature of human personality as reflected in the constitutional law of two important constitutional democracies, Eberle inquires into human values and human freedom, across national borders, in pursuit of a better understanding of human potential and the nature and limit of freedom. The central personality traits examined comprise human dignity; autonomy; self-determination and identity, including privacy, computer privacy, control over personal information, and maintenance of one's image, words, and reputation; abortion; and freedom of expression, including defamation, offensive speech, hate speech, and burning of the flag. The book weaves between German and American law in examining these questions, providing a unique comparative perspective on the idea of human personality and freedom.