Law, Violence and Constituent Power: The Law, Politics and History of Constitution Making

This book challenges traditional theories of constitution-making to advance an alternative view of constitutions as being founded on power which rests on violence.

The work argues that rather than the idea of a constitution being the result of political participation and deliberation, all power instead is based on violence. Hence the creation of a constitution is actually an act of coercion, where, through violence, one social group is able to impose itself over others. The book advocates that the presence of violence be used as an assessment of whether genuine constitutional transformation has taken place, and that the legitimacy of a constitutional order should be dependent upon the absence of killing.

The book will be essential reading for academics and researchers working in the areas of constitutional law and politics, legal and political theory, and constitutional history.

Hèctor López Bofill Is Associate Professor in Constitutional Lawat 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.