This first time in paperback is the best comprehensive examination of the development of constitutionalism in Poland. In particular, this book examines Poland's long-term constitutional history, the adoption of a new constitutional framework after 1989, and the establishment of structures and procedures designed to institutionalize enduring respect for constitutional rules and principles. Notwithstanding continuing challenges in Poland, the groundwork for constitutionalism based on notions of limited government and reflective of European constitutional norms has emerged from the collapse of the communist system of power.

Autorentext

MARK BRZEZINSKI is a lawyer and political scientist. Between 1991-95 Dr Brzezinski was a Fulbright Scholar at the Polish Constitutional Court, an Oxford-Soros Lecturer at the University of Warsaw, and a National Forum Foundation Fellow at the Warsaw-based Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. The author was a member of St Anthony's College between 1993-96 and this book is the product of his Oxford University doctoral thesis. Currently an attorney in the Washington, DC, law firm of Hogan & Hartson, the author has published extensively in American, British and Polish journals on the emergence of constitutionalism in Poland and Central Europe.

Zusammenfassung

'An indispensable addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in contemporary global political change.' - Legal Times

'An invaluable analysis of communist rule in Poland. '- The Washington Times

'First-rate scholarship on a subject of prime importance...A valuable work for anyone interested in the rise of new eastern Europe.' - Slavic Review

Inhalt
Preface to the 2000 Reprint List of Tables Acknowledgements List of Acronyms and Abbreviations Introduction Constitutionalism, Limited Government, and Transition to Democracy: An Analytical Framework Early Polish Constitutional History From Constitutionalism to Totalitarianism: Communist Constitutional Practice and its Polish Application (1944-89) Democratic Rebirth and Constitutional Reform (1989-97) The Emergence of Judicial Review in Poland Constitutional Interpretation and Enforcement Constitutionalism and Post-Communist Politics Conclusion: Law vs Power in Post-Communist Poland Notes and References Index