Through critical analysis of key concepts and measures of the rule of law, this book shows that the choice of definitions and measures affects descriptive and explanatory findings about nomocracy. It argues a constitutionalist legacy from centuries ago explains why European civilizations display higher adherence to rule of law than other countries.

Autorentext

Jørgen Møller has a PhD from the European University Institute in Florence, Italy and is currently a Professor at the Department of Political Science, Aarhus University, Denmark. His research interests include conceptualization of democracy, post-communist political change, patterns of democratization and democratic stability, patterns of state formation, and comparative methodology.

Svend-Erik Skaaning has a PhD from Aarhus University and is currently a Professor at the Department of Political Science, Aarhus University, Denmark. His research interests include conceptualization, measurement, and explanation of democracy and human rights and comparative methodology. Skaaning is currently involved in two major research projects- DEDERE and V-Dem.

Inhalt

1. Introduction PART I: ON DEFINITIONS 2. Systematizing Thin and Thick Rule of Law Definitions 3. Diminished Subtypes of the Rule of Law PART II: ON MEASURES 4. Evaluating Extant Rule of Law Measures 5. Exploring the Interchangability of Rule of Law Measures PART III: ON PATTERNS 6. Examining the Empirical Fit of the Typological Hierarchy 7. Reassessing the Relevance of Diminished Subtypes of the Rule of Law 8. Charting Rule of Law Adherence Across Time and Space PART IV: ON CAUSES 9. Uncovering the Historical Origins of the Rule of Law 10. Explaining Cross-National Differences in Adherence to the Rule of Law 11. Conclusions