Human Dignity and Democracy in Europe

Synergies, Tensions and Crises

Edited by Daniel Bedford, Senior Lecturer, Portsmouth Law School, University of Portsmouth, Catherine Dupré, Associate Professor, Law School, University of Exeter, UK, Gábor Halmai, Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law, Law Department, European University Institute, Florence, Italy and Panos Kapotas, Senior Lecturer, Portsmouth Law School, University of Portsmouth, UK

This collection identifies and discuss the connections between human dignity and democracy from theoretical, substantive, and comparative perspectives. Drawing on detailed analyses of national and transnational law, it provides timely insights into the uses of human dignity to promote and challenge ideas of identity and solidarity.

‘Dignity and democracy are preferred topics of comparative constitutional research. But surprisingly enough, the connections between the two concepts have not yet been explored in academic writing. This book puts an end to that situation and opens a new perspective on two pillars of modern constitutionalism.’
– Dieter Grimm, Humboldt University Berlin and Former Justice, Federal Constitutional Court of Germany

‘An ambitious and successful effort to move the focus on constitutional democracy from citizens to human flourishing. Human Dignity and Democracy in Europe highlights the democratic and constitutional commitments to creating regimes that allow all residents to see themselves as involved in common public projects, and the threats to such commitments presented by the rise of illiberal constitutionalism, austerity, and COVID-19.’
– Mark Graber, University of Maryland, US

‘The legal relevance of dignity is challenged at a time of democratic backlash, identitarian crisis and exclusionary politics. The authors of this volume argue that dignity is both the pre-condition and ultimate aim of European democracy. They provide a balanced and realistic approach to the practical uses of dignity in law in Europe and elsewhere.’
– András Sajó, Central European University, Hungary/Austria

‘This valuable book, Human Dignity and Democracy in Europe, explores the connections between dignity and democracy, a topic that has not received much scholarly attention. Including contributions from academics of varying backgrounds who are experts in this field, it brings together a range of perspectives and offers impressive insights into this highly significant area, of especial value at the present time when in some Council of Europe states, such as Hungary, both democracy and dignity appear to be coming under threat.’
——海伦芬威克, Durham University, UK