Ethnic Diversity, Plural Democracy and Human Dignity: Challenges to the European Union and Western Balkans

This book explores the extent to which European countries can adopt and adapt plural democracy, considering their ethnic diversity. It offers solutions based on innovative interpretations of the rule human dignity, democracy, and the rule of law, with a focus on avoiding ethnic conflicts. The book consists of eleven contributions divided into three thematic sections, covering topics such as European principles, conceptualizing ethnical needs, and protecting minority rights.

Format: Hardback
Length: 273 pages
Publication date: 26 April 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Given their ethnic diversity, to what extent, and at what cost and benefit to human dignity, can European countries adopt and adapt plural democracy?

The contributors to this volume offer answers to this question from a variety of multidisciplinary perspectives within the framework of the integral theory of law and the state. Their shared aim is to explain legal phenomena in the context of other relevant issues and to identify, analyze, and critique conceptualizations, problems, and situations. This volume is rooted in the historical and contemporary European experience with special cases from Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Latvia, Slovenia, Spain, and Canada, which are relevant for understanding the European problem. Solutions to the problem are sought through innovative interpretations of the rule.

The rule of law, democracy, and human dignity, which are followed by argumentation about how these concepts, when recognized as European legal principles, can be implemented in order to avoid ethnic conflicts.

Following an introduction that defines the problem at the centre of the book and explains how legal theory can be used to address it, the book consists of eleven contributions divided into three thematic sections.

The first covers topics concerning the European principles which can help avoid ethnic conflicts: the principle of compulsory adjudication in interstate relations, the principle of democracy, and principles regarding the recognition of individual and collective identities. These European principles are then investigated by drawing on legal and political theories.

The second section presents three ways of conceptualizing ethnical needs in multi-ethnic states: asymmetric federalism, democratic account, and cooperative federalism.

The third and final section elaborates on the implementation of these conceptualizations in practice, with a particular focus on the role of the European Union and its member states.

The contributors to this volume come from a range of disciplines, including law, political science, sociology, and anthropology. They offer a wealth of insights and perspectives on the issue of plural democracy in Europe, and their contributions are sure to be of interest to scholars and policymakers alike.

In conclusion, this volume provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of democracy in Europe. It offers a multidisciplinary approach to the issue, drawing on a range of theoretical and empirical perspectives to explore the challenges and opportunities that arise from the diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds of European countries. The contributions to this volume are sure to be of interest to scholars and policymakers alike

in the field of law, political science, sociology, and anthropology.

Weight: 606g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030979164
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022