'In 1937 Karl Loewenstein under the impact of the Weimar Republic's demise developed a principle of militant democracy which was subsequently implemented by the German Grundgesetz. His controversial concept has been widely discussed in various national contexts but rarely from a comparative perspective. This unique collection of essays proves that the German example is no isolated precedent and that many democracies have developed means for defending themselves.' Wolfgang Durner, University of Bonn, Germany 'With surprising regularity, all democracies turn 'militant' and proclaim the right to exclude from the political process those who would undermine democracy itself. How they do it, why they do it, and which groups are likely to feel the wrath of the state vary significantly. This edited volume is a major contribution to the emerging literature on how democracies maintain their integrity in the face of internal opposition, a topic of great contemporary relevance in the age of national security and the war on terror. Placing the national examples under a comparative light illuminates the risks and indispensable protections for democratic viability. Each chapter provides rich insights for the study of democratic politics.' Samuel Issacharoff, New York University, USA 'Manifestations of the pre-emptive defence of democracy - whether termed "militant" or simply "muscular" - have become commonplace during this decade, with the terrorism of our neighbours becoming the prime contingency. This impressive survey of comparative constitutional settings and detailed responses provides the reader with knowledge and insight within a rich discourse.' Clive Walker, University of Leeds, UK
