Thoughts on the Degeneration of Democracy and Regeneration of Constitutionalism

FORMATION THÉORIQUE Durée : 1 heure et 30 minutes Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant ! Thoughts on the Degeneration of Democracy and Regeneration of Constitutionalism Conférence organisée par le Groupe de recherche en droit et économie politique Cycle 2025 - 2026 : La part d'ombre du constitutionnalisme DESCRIPTION Note : Cette conférence sera présentée en anglais Constitutional documents are often associated with “the people” and, by extension, with aspirations to emancipation, social progress, and equality. They are seen as safeguards against purported abuses of sovereign power. Yet, did constitutions historically seek to circumscribe the arbitrary powers of the king, or rather to circumvent the far-reaching economic changes entailed by a genuinely popular government (namely, an alternative distribution of wealth)? Most often than not, constitutions have proven to be instruments of domination, giving priority to so-called ""economic"" rights (primarily, the notion of private property) over so-called ""social"" rights (labor law, in particular), although it was never set in stone that these were to fundamentally be in conflict. How then could we characterize the ambiguous relationship, the tension that exists between constitutionalism and democracy? What does it mean to be defending the ""rule of law""? Does the constitution seek to protect the sovereignty of the people, or the free functioning of the market? Are constitutions truly capable of bringing about the ideals of social progress and emancipation they proclaim? Emeritus Professor of Public Law at the London School of Economics & Political Science Martin Loughlin advanced a vast and profound critique of constitutionalism in Against Constitutionalism (Harvard University Press, 2022). The book argues that constitutionalism is not some vague amalgam of liberal aspirations but a specific and deeply contentious governing philosophy. Nevertheless, advocating separated powers and limited government was, by the mid-twentieth century, widely regarded as an anachronism unsuited to the political challenges of the times. But constitutionalism has since undergone a remarkable transformation: once treated as a practical instrument to regulate government, the Constitution has been raised to the status of civil religion, a symbolic representation of collective unity. Yet, the emphasis placed by constitutionalism on rights and their judicial protection tended to undermine the democratic content of our institutional systems and to transform collective political problems into individual issues that are left in the hands of judges and courts. ATTESTATION DE FORMATION CONTINUE Une attestation de participation, mentionnant une durée de 1 h 30 de formation, sera produite pour les personnes inscrites à l'activité sur FCDroit.umontreal.ca, sous réserve de la complétion des formalités administratives requises. Cette attestation sera déposée sur FCDroit.umontreal.ca, au dossier du participant présent en ligne et ayant rempli le formulaire de présence disponible. CONFÉRENCIER Martin Loughlin is Professorial Research Fellow and Emeritus Professor of Public Law at the London School of Economics & Political Science. His most recent publications are Advanced Introduction to Political Jurisprudence (Elgar, 2025), The British Constitution: A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 2nd edn 2023), and Against Constitutionalism (Harvard, 2022). DÉROULEMENT Jeudi 20 novembre 2025 Débute à 16 h 30 Sur place, Faculté de droit, salle multifonctionnelle, A-3421 Note : Cette conférence sera présentée en anglais FRAIS D'INSCRIPTION Sans frais Inscription obligatoire pour l'obtention d'une attestation de présence INFORMATION SUR L'ACTIVITÉ ET SOUTIEN TECHNIQUE Pour toute information sur le déroulement de l’activité ou pour une assistance technique avant l’activité, veuillez contacter : Mme Victoria Broedur Courriel : victoria.brodeur@umontreal.ca Téléphone : 514-343-5993 ASSISTANCE POUR VOTRE INSCRIPTION Pour de l’aide relative à votre inscription, veuillez communiquer avec nous en indiquant le nom complet de l’activité et la date par : Courriel : FormationContinue@droit.umontreal.ca Téléphones : 514 343-2160 et 438 354-2160 * L'horaire du bureau est du lundi au vendredi, de 9 h à 17 h. a named anchor