Law, Violence and Constituent Power

Hèctor López Bofill Is Associate Professor in Constitutional Law at Pompeu Fabra University. He has written eight books and more than 20 articles in the field of constitutional theory, fundamental rights, federalism, secessionism and judicial review of legislation. He is also a writer in Catalan language. He has published five poetry books and five novels which have received several awards.

• Introduction. Violence And FoundationChapter One - Methodological ConsiderationsChapter Two - The Concept Of Constituent Power And The Concept Of ConstitutionChapter Three Violence And Constituent Power In The Creation Of The American RepublicChapter Four - Constituent Power Without ‘We The People’: The Foundation Of The Federal Republic Of GermanyChapter Five - ‘New Constitutionalism’ And The Emergence Of Constituent Power In Some Recent Experiences Conclusions

"Héctor López Bofill’s offers a powerful argument showing that all states and instances of true constitutional transformation (including those that have led to liberal constitutional orders), have at their origin episodes of violence and death. His book is a historically and theoretically informed analysis, traversing multiple jurisdictions, that directly challenges contemporary approaches to popular constitution-making".Joel Colón-Ríos"Supported on an astounding command of contemporary debates in constitutional and political theory, López Bofill reconstructs the origins of old and new constitutional democracies from an unsettling perspective. This is indeed a worthy read that will provide insight and food for thought to analysts of constitutional matters worldwide." Francesca Maria Pou, ITAM (Mexico City)