Synopses & Reviews
The key to Gorbachev's reforms is the creation of a state in which the rule of law is sovereign. In this book Soviet and British and American jurists discuss the nature and role of the law in society, and assess the possibilities and difficulties of establishing a legal system based on the values and principles of Western democracies in the USSR.
Among the topics covered are the role of a constitution, the status of political parties, the importance of glasnost, the question of individual rights and the meaning of pluralism.
About the Author
The contributors are W.E. Butler, R.Z. Livshits, M.D.A. Freeman, S.V. Polenina, E.V. Kumanin, A.D.H. Oliver, V.L. Entin, N.P. Koldaeva, J. Henderson, V.P. Kazimirchuk, G. Drewry, V. Bogdanor and M.M. Slavin.
Table of Contents
The Contributors. Introduction, W. E. Butler. Part 1: The Development of Concepts. Perestroika and the Rule of Law, W. E. Butler. Jus and Lex: The Evolution of Views, R. Z. Livshits. The Rule of Law: Conservative, Liberal, Marxist, and Neo-Marxist: Wherein Lies the Attraction?, M. D. A. Freeman. The Supremacy of Lex and Legal Reform in the USSR, S. V. Polenina. Part 2: The Place of Pluralism. Political Pluralism and Law, E. V. Kumanin. Political Pluralism: The Legal Status of Political Parties, A. D. H. Oliver. Law and Glasnost, V. L. Entin. Part 3: The Executive and the Judiciary. Separation of Powers in the USSR: Emerging Theory, N. P. Koldaeva. Judicial Accountability and the Separation of Powers in the English Legal System, J. Henderson. On Constitutional Supervision in the USSR, V. P. Kazimirchuk. Judicial Control of Government: Can It Be Done? Should It Be Done?, G. Drewry. Part 4: The Individual and the State. The Constitution and the Transition to Democracy, V. Bogdanor. Inviolability of the Individual in a Rule-of-Law State, M. M. Slavin.