Constituent Power Beyond the State: Democratic Agency in Polycentric Polities

This book explores the concept of constituent power in modern political and legal theory, analyzing its function in the modern political apparatus and debates about its meaning and function in our context. It argues that constituent power belongs with the conceptual apparatus of a theory of government peculiar to a statist way of knowing and being into the world and is too dependent on the statist framework to have critical purchase on the new mappings of public authority.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 182 pages
Publication date: 31 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The concept of constituent power holds a significant place in modern political and legal theory, shaping our understanding of the political realm. In this comprehensive book, the author delves into the dual themes of public authority and public autonomy within the contemporary conception of politics. By examining the notion of constituent power, its role in the modern political apparatus, and ongoing debates surrounding its meaning and function, the author aims to address the pressing issues of public power and autonomy in our contemporary context.

Moving beyond the confines of traditional constitutionalism, Geneviève Nootens assesses the potential for reimagining constituent power in a polycentric setting that challenges the primacy of state sovereignty. She argues that constituent power is closely intertwined with the conceptual framework of a theory of government rooted in a statist way of knowing and being in the world. However, Nootens contends that constituent power is too reliant on the statist framework to have a critical impact on the new mappings of public authority. Consequently, she emphasizes the critical need to frame public authority appropriately if we are to conceptualize a conception of collective political agency that can sustain public autonomy in the present era.

Constituent Power Beyond the State is a valuable resource for students and scholars engaged in the study of political theory, democratic theory, law, and constitutionalism. It offers a comprehensive exploration of the concept of constituent power, its implications for public authority and autonomy, and the challenges posed by a polycentric world. Through rigorous analysis and thoughtful argumentation, the author provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse on the politics of power and governance.

Weight: 290g
Dimension: 151 x 230 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032118321