Separation of Powers in Theory and Practice An International Perspective

The separation of powers is a foundation of democratic societies. But, what does this doctrine mean in practice? How does the judiciary connect to the power of politics? Separation of Powers in Theory and Practice reports on the often tense and dynamic relationship between judges and governments. It covers political debate, but also the many strategies used to attack and defend judicial independence. These strategies range from subtle elite negotiations to all-out media wars. The book focuses on a number of countries with quite different legal histories, such as the US, Italy, Bulgaria, Germany, and Israel. Separation of Powers in Theory and Practice has its origins in the Working Group for Comparative Study of Legal Professions of the International Sociological Association/Research Committee on Sociology of Law (ISA/RCSL). The book includes contributions by members of the Working Group, developed during a special workshop held in May 2007 on the changing relationship between the judiciary and the other state powers at the International Institute for the Sociology of Law (IISL) in Onati, Spain.