Democracy in Decline?

International & National Security Law and Professional Responsibility & Legal Education Practice Groups Teleforum

Part lament, part provocative call-to-action, Democracy in Decline: Steps in the Wrong Direction argues how democracy is being diluted and restricted in five of the world's oldest democracies – the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. University of Queensland School of Law Professor James Allan targets four main, interconnected causes of decline – judicial activism, the transformation and growth of international law, the development of supranational organizations, and the presence of undemocratic elites. He argues that the same trends are occurring whether the country has a constitutional bill of rights (United States and Canada), a statutory bill of rights (the United Kingdom and New Zealand), or no bill of rights at all (Australia). Identifying tactics used by lawyers, judges, and international bureaucrats to deny that any decline has occurred, Mr. Allan looks ahead to further deterioration caused by attacks on free speech, intolerant worldviews, internationalization through treaties and conventions, and illegal immigration. Social and political decisions, Mr. Allan argues, must be based on counting every adult in a nation state as equal. An essential book for anyone concerned with majority rule and fairness in numbers, Democracy in Decline presents an account of trends that he says have been undermining democracy over three decades.

Featuring:

• Professor James Allan, Garrick Professor in Law, The University of Queensland School of Law, and author of Democracy in Decline
• James A. Haynes, Attorney and Alternate Judge, Employees Compensation Appeals Board, U.S. Department of Labor

Part lament, part provocative call-to-action, Democracy in Decline: Steps in the Wrong Direction argues how democracy is being diluted and restricted in five of the world's oldest democracies – the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. University of Queensland School of Law Professor James Allan targets four main, interconnected causes of decline – judicial activism, the transformation and growth of international law, the development of supranational organizations, and the presence of undemocratic elites. He argues that the same trends are occurring whether the country has a constitutional bill of rights (United States and Canada), a statutory bill of rights (the United Kingdom and New Zealand), or no bill of rights at all (Australia). Identifying tactics used by lawyers, judges, and international bureaucrats to deny that any decline has occurred, Mr. Allan looks ahead to further deterioration caused by attacks on free speech, intolerant worldviews, internationalization through treaties and conventions, and illegal immigration. Social and political decisions, Mr. Allan argues, must be based on counting every adult in a nation state as equal. An essential book for anyone concerned with majority rule and fairness in numbers, Democracy in Decline presents an account of trends that he says have been undermining democracy over three decades.

Featuring:

• Professor James Allan, Garrick Professor in Law, The University of Queensland School of Law, and author of Democracy in Decline
• James A. Haynes, Attorney and Alternate Judge, Employees Compensation Appeals Board, U.S. Department of Labor

Call begins at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Teleforum calls are open to all dues paying members of the Federalist Society. To become a member, sign up here. As a member, you should receive email announcements of upcoming Teleforum calls which contain the conference call phone number. If you are not receiving those email announcements, please contact us at 202-822-8138.