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Separation of Powers in African Constitutionalism by Charles Manga Fombad Pdf
The effective division of powers is critical to ensuring the promotion of good governance, democracy, and the rule of law in Africa. This book examines key issues arising during reforms of African constitutions, and focuses on the emergence of independent constitutional institutions providing checks against future abuses of powers.
The Evolution of the Separation of Powers by David Bilchitz Pdf
To what extent should the doctrine of the separation of powers evolve in light of recent shifts in constitutional design and practice? Constitutions now often include newer forms of rights – such as socioeconomic and environmental rights – and are written with an explicitly transformative purpose. They also often reflect include new independent bodies such as human rights commissions and electoral tribunals whose position and function within the traditional structure is novel. The practice of the separation of powers has also changed, as the executive has tended to gain power and deliberative bodies like legislatures have often been thrown into a state of crisis. The chapters in this edited volume grapple with these shifts and the ways in which the doctrine of the separation of powers might respond to them. It also asks whether the shifts that are taking place are mostly a product of the constitutional systems of the global south, or instead reflect changes that run across most liberal democratic constitutional systems around the world.
Charles M. Fombad,Nathaniel A Inegbedion,Thulani R Maseko,Lukman Abdulrauf,Tinashe Chigwata,Donald Rukare,Wandisa Phama,Palesa Madi,Makanatsa Makonese,Kamotho Waiganjo,Jane R Serwanga
Author : Charles M. Fombad,Nathaniel A Inegbedion,Thulani R Maseko,Lukman Abdulrauf,Tinashe Chigwata,Donald Rukare,Wandisa Phama,Palesa Madi,Makanatsa Makonese,Kamotho Waiganjo,Jane R Serwanga Publisher : PULP Page : 247 pages File Size : 48,5 Mb Release : 2016-12-30 Category : Constitutional history ISBN : 9781920538651
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MODERN AFRICAN CONSTITUTIONS: Challenges and Prospects by Charles M. Fombad,Nathaniel A Inegbedion,Thulani R Maseko,Lukman Abdulrauf,Tinashe Chigwata,Donald Rukare,Wandisa Phama,Palesa Madi,Makanatsa Makonese,Kamotho Waiganjo,Jane R Serwanga Pdf
Corruption and Constitutionalism in Africa by Charles M. Fombad,Nico Steytler Pdf
This collection of essays to focuses on the critical issue of corruption that lies at the heart of the crisis of constitutionalism in Africa. Most anti-corruption measures over the years have been inadequate, serving merely as symbolic gestures to give the impression something is being done. The African Union's declaration of 2018 as the 'African anti-corruption year', belated though it be, is an open recognition by African governments of the impact corruption will have on the continent unless urgent steps are taken. The key objective of this volume is to draw attention to the problem of corruption, the complexity of the situation, with all its multi-faceted social, political, economic and legal dimensions, and the need for remedial action.
Separation of Powers, the Judiciary and the Politics of Constitutional Adjudication by Sanele Sibanda Pdf
Over the last 25 years, the doctrine of separation of powers has been established as both a foundational value and a structural principle applied by the courts in interpreting the relationship between South Africa’s constitutional structures. Jurisprudentially, the practicalities and contours of how, when and by whom the separation of powers should be determined has proven to be controversial. Therefore, the past decade has been characterised by heightened political contestation, often resulting in extensive litigation posing thorny political issues. This has had profound implications for the judiciary and raised difficult questions on the very nature of South African constitutionalism. These political contestations gathered even greater momentum and urgency during the early days of COVID-19 in 2020, when the first iteration of this book was produced as a special issue of the South African Journal on Human Rights. This timely volume brings together critical reflections on developments in South Africa’s separation of powers jurisprudence and theory, the role and function of the judiciary through its judgments in shaping the landscape of constitutional politics, as well the implications of this for the consolidation of South Africa’s democratic constitutional project. It makes an important contribution to the debate on the politics of constitutional adjudication in light of the doctrine of separation of powers. This book will be of interest to researchers and advanced students of politics, history, law and legal theory, human rights, and African studies.
There is no Supreme Constitution by Koos Malan Pdf
None of the articles of faith of the South African Constitution is plausible. The Constitution is not supreme and entrenched. Subject to potent socio-political forces it changes continuously and often profoundly regardless of stringent amendment requirements. The trite threefold separation of powers is more metaphorical than real and therefore unable to secure effective checks and balances. Though institutionally separated with their own personnel and functions, the three powers are ordinarily integrated in a single dominant political leadership, committed to achieving the same ideological goals. The bill of individual rights cannot guarantee justice, because rights are subject to the ideologically-driven exercise of judicial interpretation, often with damaging consequences for those relying on the bill of rights. This situation does not only apply to South Africa, but to all Constitutions premised on the same articles of faith, in this book described as the doctrine of statist-individualist constitutionalism. An improved mode of constitutionalism is called for - one which is equipped with a sounder system of checks and balances and better endowed towards the achievement of justice through a balanced constitution.
A Theory of African Constitutionalism by Berihun Adugna Gebeye Pdf
A Theory of African Constitutionalism asks and seeks to answer why we need a new theoretical framework for African constitutionalism and how this could offer us better theoretical and practical tools with which to understand, improve, and assess African constitutionalism on its own terms. By locating constitutional studies in Africa within the experiences, interactions, and contestations of power and governance beginning in precolonial times, the book presents the development and transformation of African constitutional systems across time and place, along with the attendant constitutional designs and practices ranging from the nature and operation of the African state to its vertical and horizontal government structures, to its constitutional rights regime. This title offers both a theoretically and comparatively rich, historically and contextually informed, and temporally and spatially extensive account of the nature, travails, and incremental successes of African constitutionalism with detailed case studies from Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa. A Theory of African Constitutionalism provides scholars, policymakers, governments, and constitution builders in Africa and beyond with new insights for reimagining the purpose, substance, and scope of constitutions and constitutionalism.
Constitutionalism and the Separation of Powers by M. J. C. Vile Pdf
Vile traces the history of the doctrine from its rise during the English Civil War, through its development in the eighteenth century -- through subsequent political thought and constitution-making in Britain, France, and the United States.
Judicial Independence in Africa by Wahab O. Egbewole Pdf
At the theoretical level, most constitutions in Africa normally provide for the concept of separation of powers with each arm of government assigned defined roles and functions. At the operational level, the Judiciary is regarded as the junior partner with the 'restrictions' on funding in terms of spending as it is usually the prerogative of the Executive branch of government to allocate funds to the Judiciary. To what extent is the check and or control of funding affect the operations of the courts? Can in exercise of the doctrine of separation of powers be expanded with regards to the appointment, discipline and removal of judicial officers? What should be the relationship between the two other arms of government and the Judiciary with regards to control of cases to be determined by the courts. All these issues find a way of determining how effective the Judiciary can be in any governmental arrangement and structure. It is particularly challenging in Africa where democracy in practice is still at the embryonic stage especially with regards to the political office holders. The African Union has in place the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights with a provision for an African Commission to determine disputes. How effective is this Commission and how independent is it? This book, Judicial Independence in Africa set out to interrogate some of these issues and was put together by scholars of varied and diverse experience in and outside university environment tracing the evolution of the Judiciary as an arm of government, its relationship with other arms of government and the media, the operations of the institution in relation to issues of human rights, gender and juvenile justice.
Protecting Minority Rights in African Countries by John M. Mbaku Pdf
In this enlightening book, John Mukum Mbaku analyses the main challenges of constitutional design and the construction of governance institutions in Africa today. He argues that the central issues are: providing each country with a constitutional order that is capable of successfully managing sectarian conflict and enhancing peaceful coexistence; protecting the rights of citizens - including those of minorities; minimizing the monopolization of political space by the majority (to the detriment of minorities); and, effectively preventing government impunity. Mbaku offers a comprehensive analysis of various approaches to the management of diversity, and shows how these approaches can inform Africa's struggle to promote peace and good governance. He explores in depth the existence of dysfunctional and anachronistic laws and institutions inherited from the colonial state, and the process through which laws and institutions are formulated or constructed, adopted, and amended. A close look at the constitutional experiences of the American Republic provides important lessons for constitutional design and constitutionalism in Africa. Additionally, comparative politics and comparative constitutional law also provide important lessons for the management of diversity in African countries. Mbaku recommends state reconstruction through constitutional design as a way for each African country to provide itself with laws and institutions that reflect the realities of each country, including the necessary mechanisms and tools for the protection of the rights of minorities.From students and scholars to NGOs, lawyers and policymakers, this unique and judicious book is an essential tool for all those seeking to understand and improve governance and development in Africa.
The Quest for Constitutionalism by Hugh Corder,Veronica Federico Pdf
This volume provides a timely assessment on the progress made towards the achievement of a constitutional democracy in South Africa. The chapters collectively present an in-depth analysis of the development of the legal system and of the implications of the Constitution for the social configuration of power. To what extent has the vision of constitutionalism contained in the Constitution been realised? Primarily concerned with the impact of laws and the salience of their existence and enforcement for South Africans, the work highlights the importance of placing the constitutional regime in its historical, cultural, social, economic and political context. The book further recognises the importance of the South African constitutional provisions for transnational or globalised constitutionalism more broadly. It contains contributions from South African scholars, as well as European authors, bringing in new analytical angles and adding a specific comparative dimension. Through the prism of South Africa, the authors discuss the innovative character of constitutional and legal provisions in terms of both constitution-making and law-making processes and their contents. This book provides analysis that will be relevant to scholars, students and practitioners, specifically those interested in International Relations, Law, Sociology of Law, and African Studies, as well as socio-political comparative studies.
Constitutional Adjudication in Africa by Charles M Fombad Pdf
Since the 1990 wave of constitutional reforms in Africa, the role of constitutional courts or courts exercising the power to interpret and apply constitutions have become a critical aspect to the on-going process of constitutional construction, reconstruction, and maintenance. These developments appear, at least from the texts of the revised or new constitutions, to have resulted in fundamental changes in the nature and role of courts exercising jurisdiction in constitutional matters. The chapters in this second volume of the Stellenbosch Handbooks in African Constitutional Law series are the first to undertake a critical and comparative examination of the interplay of the diverse forms of constitutional review models on the continent. Comparative analysis is particularly important given the fact that over the last two decades, constitutional courts in Africa have been asked to decide a litany of hotly-contested and often sensitive disputes of a social, political, and economic nature. As the list of areas in which these courts have intervened has grown, so too have their powers, actual or potential. By identifying and examining the different models of constitutional review adopted, these chapters consider the extent to which these courts are contributing to enhancing constitutionalism and respect for the rule of law on the continent. The chapters show how the long-standing negative image of African courts is slowly changing. The courts have in responded in different ways to the variety of constraints, incentives, and opportunities that have been provided by the constitutional reforms of the last two decades to act as the bulwark against authoritarianism, and this provides a rich field for analysis, filling an important gap in the literature of contemporary comparative constitutional adjudication.
Decentralization and Constitutionalism in Africa by Charles M. Fombad,Nico Steytler Pdf
This collection of essays assesses the efforts of African governments to constitutionalise decentralisation, be it in the form of federalism, local government or traditional authorities. Since the end of the Cold War jurisdictions across Africa have witnessed an ostensible return to multi-party democracy within the paradigm of constitutionalism and the rule of law. Linked to the democratisation process, many countries took steps to decentralize power by departing from the heavily centralized systems inherited from colonial regimes. The centralization of power, typically characterized by the personalization and concentration of power in the hands of leaders and privileged elites in capital cities, mostly resulted in repressive regimes and fragile states. As decentralisation is a response to these challenges, this volume analyses the dynamic relationship between the efforts to implement decentralization and presence or absence of constitutionalism. This volume examines a variety of forms and degrees of decentralization found across Africa. It advances a new understanding of trends and patterns and facilitates the exchange of ideas among African governments and scholars about the critical role that decentralisation may play in democratization of and constitutionalism in Africa.
In our globalized era it has become impossible to deal effectively with constitutional law and related subjects such as fundamental rights, administrative law and political science without knowledge of foreign systems. A wealth of literature is available on practically all constitutional systems and the intricacies of their application. This, however, presents the constitutionalist with a formidable problem: Which foreign systems should I explore in order to make relevant comparisons, and how should I go about it? This book addresses the core problems of comparability and appropriate comparative methodology in the realm of contemporary constitutionalism. The outcome is, however, not mere theorizing. Most of the text is devoted to an incisive application of the chosen comparative method to four geographically, historically, and culturally divergent, but thoroughly comparable, constitutional systems. In the course of the comparative exercise, contemporary constitutional dogma and constitutional mechanics are analyzed and explained, in many instances in their historical contexts, making the book itself a useful source of comparative and historical information.