Arendtian Constitutionalism ― Law, Politics and the Order of Freedom

Now available in paperback! The meaning and function of law in Hannah Arendt's work has never been the subject of a systematic reconstruction. This book examines Arendt's work and reconstructs her ideas through political, legal and constitutional theory, and shows that her engagement with law is continuous as well as crucial to an adequate understanding of her political thought. The author argues that Arendt was very much concerned with the question of an adequate arrangement of law, politics and order-the so-called triad of constitutionalism. By adopting this approach, the author suggests an alternative interpretation of Arendt's thought, which sees her as thinker of political order who considers as crucial a stable and free political order in which political struggle and dissent can occur. "Christian Volk is one of the most original and penetrating Arendt interpreters of his generation. This book addresses some of the most misunderstood aspects of Arendtian thought-namely, her views of law and constitutionalism. Volk does away with a lot of misconceptions and guides us to a novel view of Arendt on these questions and beyond."--Seyla Benhabib, Yale U. [Subject: Legal Philosophy, Human Rights Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Political Theory]

Christian Volk is an Assistant Professor of Political Theory and the History of Ideas at the University of Trier.