New Special Section On Non-Majoritarian Institutions and Democracy In Europe
Non-Majoritarian Instruments and Institutions: Dissensus and Democracy in Europe
Christina Eckes co-edited a special section in European Papers – A Journal on Law and Integration. It brings together contributions on the role of non-majoritarian instruments and institutions in contemporary European democracies. The section examines how courts and regulatory bodies respond to growing political dissensus, including in areas such as inequality, authoritarianism, and climate change.
“It has become common place to lament that democracy is in decline and that disagreement, polarisation, or even dissensus is mounting.”
”The common thread in all papers is that they examine whether and how dissenting voices are capable of challenging majoritarian decision-making (national legal choices, climate policies); how they are integrated into the decision-making process; and whether and how the examined non-majoritarian institutions and instruments are able to protect fundamental commitments of liberal democracy (human rights, equality).”
As part of this special section, Chiara Armeni and Christina Eckes provide an introductory contribution that frames the role of non-majoritarian institutions in responding to democratic dissensus in Europe, titled “Non-Majoritarian Instruments and Institutions: Dissensus and Democracy in Europe“
