Abstract:
The Problems of Indeterminacy and Autonomy of Law Introduction I. Truth A. Kurt Goedel, Indeterminacy and Autonomy B. Theories of Truth 1. The Correspondence Theory of Truth 2. The Consensus Theory of Truth 3. The Coherence Theory of Truth 4. The Pragmatic Theory of Truth 5. Truth Statements are reflections of the material world. II. Logic A. Practical versus theoretical logic 1. Theoretical logic 2. Practical logic B. (Qua)Ternary Logic 1. Interpretations (Values) of Statements 2. Truth Functors 3. Ternary logic invalidates reductio proofs. C. Puzzles in law 1. Antinomies in Law a. Conflicts of Law b. Lacunae 2. Paradox a. Paradoxes of Material Implication Reveal the Inadequacy of binary logic. b. Paradox in Laws c. Circling the Square: Statements about Pegasus Conclusion: Law and Morality.
Balkin & Lewinson, Constitutional Crises
Abstract: In popular discussion, the term "constitutional crisis" is used to describe every kind of conflict, great and small. But we think we can give the idea greater analytical clarity, and in the process, make some important points about constitutional design.The secret, we shall argue, is to think about crisis not in terms of constitutional disagreement but in terms of constitutional design. Disagreement and conflict are natural features of politics. The goal of constitutions is to manage them within acceptable boundaries. When constitutional design functions properly -- even if people strongly disagree with each other and threaten each other -- there is no crisis. On the other hand, when the system of constitutional design breaks down, either because people abandon it or because it is leading them off of the proverbial cliff, disagreements and threats take on a special urgency that deserves the name of crisis. In this essay we offer a typology of different types of constitution crises based on this insight.We argue that a constitutional crisis refers to a turning point in the health and history of a constitutional order, and we identify three different types of constitutional crises. Type One crises arise when political leaders believe that exigencies require public violation of the constitution. Type Two crises are situations where fidelity to constitutional forms leads to ruin or disaster. Type Three crises involve situations where publicly articulated disagreements about the Constitution lead political actors to engage in extraordinary forms of protest beyond mere legal disagreements and political protests; people take to the streets, armies mobilize, and brute force is used -- or threatened -- in order to prevail. If a central purpose of constitutions is to make politics possible, constitutional crises mark moments when constitutions threaten to fail at this central task.
Abstract: In popular discussion, the term "constitutional crisis" is used to describe every kind of conflict, great and small. But we think we can give the idea greater analytical clarity, and in the process, make some important points about constitutional design.The secret, we shall argue, is to think about crisis not in terms of constitutional disagreement but in terms of constitutional design. Disagreement and conflict are natural features of politics. The goal of constitutions is to manage them within acceptable boundaries. When constitutional design functions properly -- even if people strongly disagree with each other and threaten each other -- there is no crisis. On the other hand, when the system of constitutional design breaks down, either because people abandon it or because it is leading them off of the proverbial cliff, disagreements and threats take on a special urgency that deserves the name of crisis. In this essay we offer a typology of different types of constitution crises based on this insight.We argue that a constitutional crisis refers to a turning point in the health and history of a constitutional order, and we identify three different types of constitutional crises. Type One crises arise when political leaders believe that exigencies require public violation of the constitution. Type Two crises are situations where fidelity to constitutional forms leads to ruin or disaster. Type Three crises involve situations where publicly articulated disagreements about the Constitution lead political actors to engage in extraordinary forms of protest beyond mere legal disagreements and political protests; people take to the streets, armies mobilize, and brute force is used -- or threatened -- in order to prevail. If a central purpose of constitutions is to make politics possible, constitutional crises mark moments when constitutions threaten to fail at this central task.
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