Articles for tag: AusnahmezustandDemokratieRechtsstaatlichkeit

The State of Emergency Virus

The current pandemic is said to be the worst health crisis the world has experienced for a century. Beyond causing thousands to die and millions to lose their jobs, it has also caused more than ever before governments to declare a state of emergency and, thus, to considerably broaden their own competencies. Previous experience, however, has shown that governments do not use their additional powers to save lives but, rather, to make themselves better off. Considering that more than half of the world’s democracies have declared a state of emergency, the rule of law will be subject to a number of dangers in the following months.

How Corona Aggravates the Crises of the European Union and Threatens its Existence

The corona virus is acting as a catalyst for the EU's various crises smouldering and burning for years, intertwining with them. The current corona pandemic is not only endangering people in the EU in life and limb but also the European Union as a supranational community. With unprecedented urgency, it raises the question of its legitimacy, of its raison d'être. We need now an awareness of the political and social dimension of European integration – it must result in solidarity-based action by the EU and the Member States.

Hungary’s Orbánistan: A Complete Arsenal of Emergency Powers

On 23 March 1933, an act was adopted in Nazi Germany in response to the “crisis” of the Reichstag fire to enable Hitler to issue decrees independently of the Reichstag and the presidency. Article 48 of the constitution of the Weimar Republic made this act possible. Eighty-seven years later, on 23 March 2020, the so-called 'Enabling Act' was put before the Hungarian Parliament. This was drafted under emergency constitutional provisions in Articles 48-54.

Pandemie und Körper

Die Pandemie ist dem Körper ein bedrohliches Phänomen. Dies gilt nicht nur für unsere Körper, die mit Ansteckung und Krankheit bedroht sind. Es gilt auch für die Körperlichkeit der Demokratie, den physischen Aspekt demokratischer Prozesse. Denn Ausgangsbeschränkungen und Kontaktverbote, Telefonkonferenzen und Statements aus dem home office sorgen für eine Bilderlosigkeit von Politik, die zum demokratietheoretischen Problem werden könnte.

An Open Letter to the Speaker and the Legal Advisor of the Knesset

Following the March 2 election, Prime Minister Netanyahu has the support of 58 Knesset-Members. In contrast, 61 Knesset-Members have come out in support of Benny Gantz. In light of this majority, earlier this week Gantz was tasked by Israel’s President the mandate to try and form a government. Against this backdrop, on Wednesday, Parliament Speaker Yuli Edelstein unexpectedly suspended the recently elected Knesset.

Imitating Democracy

Russia is moving fast with its constitutional reform. On 10 March, the State Duma supported an amendment, which, if it enters into force, will allow Putin to participate in the presidential elections 2024. Although the amendment is constitutionally questionable – substantively as well as procedurally – Russia’s Constitutional Court is likely to give its approval.

Thailand’s Obsession with Clean Politics Dismantles its Democracy

On 21 February, the already fragile Thai democracy became even more vulnerable as the Constitutional Court dissolved the Future Forward Party, the third largest party and the most active opposition against the government of Prayuth Chan-ocha. This case is the latest in the series of judicial overreach in Thailand. The phenomenon is being fueled by the unhealthy obsession of building clean politics which yields an opposite result.

Das Ziel der Geschichte und die Diskussion als soziale Plastik

Wenn man nun ein solches Geburtstagsgeschenk bekommt, muss man sich in angemessener Weise dafür auch bedanken. Das Mindeste, was man erwarten kann, wenn so kluge, intelligente und sympathische Menschen mit klugen und intelligenten und manchmal nicht ganz so sympathischen Gedanken mir gleichsam ein Geschenk vor die Füße oder vor das Podium legen, ist doch wohl, dass sie eine angemessene Antwort erhalten. Und das ist eine Antwort, die mindestens auf der Höhe von Hegel liegen muss.

Verbundenheit als Grundlage der Verbindlichkeit demokratischer Politik

Die repräsentative Demokratie ist durch Entscheidungen, die sie systematisch in ihrer Handlungsfähigkeit einschränken und zu einer Entfremdung eines Teiles der Bürger führen, in eine tiefe Krise geraten. Am Beispiel der Entwicklung der Demokratie seit der zweiten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts skizziert Christine Landfried diese Problematik und zeigt, welche Hinweise wir aus den zukunftsweisenden Arbeiten von Ulrich K. Preuß für eine Perspektive zur Überwindung der Krise der repräsentativen Demokratie gewinnen können.