Constitutions Compared

This handbook provides a user-friendly introduction to comparative constitutional law. For each area of constitutional law, a general introduction and a comparative overview is provided, which is then followed by more detailed country chapters on that specific area. The subjects covered are the origins and main features of constitutions; federalism and related concepts; parliaments and law-making; governments, their parliaments and their heads of state; and judicial review, including the role of European law and human rights. The country chapters cover the constitutional systems of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Now into its third edition, this book is a helpful guide for students who are for the first time exploring comparative constitutional law, and a solid foundation for more advanced graduate-level courses. The book includes a table giving an overview of the systems discussed, a glossary and an index, model exam questions, fresh translations of the relevant constitutional texts and a selection of important international treaty provisions.