The Crown and Constitutional Reform

The Crown and Constitutional Reform explores the Crown's role in Commonwealth countries,analyzing its ambiguity as a placeholder for the state,a symbol of sovereignty,or a legal fiction. It offers a novel interdisciplinary exchange,examining statehood,sovereignty,constitutionalism,and postcolonial reconciliation. As Queen Elizabeth II's reign nears its end,questions about the Crown's future,forms,and meanings gain urgency.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 140 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Crown and Constitutional Reform is a groundbreaking, interdisciplinary dialogue between legal, anthropological, and political experts that delves into the enigmatic realm of the Crown, constitutional monarchy, and the potential for constitutional reform in Commonwealth common law countries. The constitutional foundation of numerous Commonwealth nations is the Crown, a symbol of ultimate authority that is both familiar and enigmatic. Is it merely a conceptual placeholder for the state, a symbol of sovereignty, or does its ambiguity make it a shapeshifter, a legal fiction that can be wielded as an expedient tool for executive power and a convenient instrument for undermining democratic accountability? This volume presents a novel, interdisciplinary exchange, as the contributors analyze how the Crown functions in the United Kingdom and the postcolonial settler societies of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In doing so, they explore fundamental theoretical questions about statehood, sovereignty, constitutionalism, and postcolonial reconciliation. As Queen Elizabeth II's long reign draws to a close, questions about the Crown's future, its evolving forms and meanings, the enduring value of constitutional monarchy, and its potential for reform gain heightened urgency.

The chapters in this book were originally published in a special issue of The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367511692