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The logical foundations of constitutional democracy between legal positivism and natural law theory

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  • Hartmut Kliemt

    (University of Giessen)

Abstract

Rejecting all knowledge claims concerning right and wrong in matters practical James Buchanan concurred with legal positivism that invalid law cannot be identified by its substantive content but only by an inherited defect in its factual creation. Beyond correct creation Buchanan proposed as a quasi-natural law constraint that unanimity in the shadow of individual veto power must at least be conceivable if a norm is to be law. The emerging hybrid conception of constitutional law is symptomatic for Buchanan’s never-ending but ultimately futile efforts to incorporate Kantian ideals of interpersonal respect into constitutional economics without imposing them as personal values.

Suggested Citation

  • Hartmut Kliemt, 2023. "The logical foundations of constitutional democracy between legal positivism and natural law theory," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 195(3), pages 269-281, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:195:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s11127-021-00888-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-021-00888-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kliemt, Hartmut, 2011. "Bukantianism—Buchanan's philosophical economics," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 80(2), pages 275-279.
    2. Alan Hamlin & Zofia Stemplowska, 2012. "Theory, Ideal Theory and the Theory of Ideals," Political Studies Review, Political Studies Association, vol. 10(1), pages 48-62, January.
    3. Niclas Berggren, 2016. "Does belief in objective morality lead to coercion? An analysis of the arguments of Kelsen and Buchanan," The Review of Austrian Economics, Springer;Society for the Development of Austrian Economics, vol. 29(3), pages 315-326, September.
    4. James A. Dorn, 1987. "Introduction: Government, the Economy, and the Constitution," Cato Journal, Cato Journal, Cato Institute, vol. 7(2), pages 283-303, Fall.
    5. Daniele Bertolini, 2019. "Constitutionalizing Leviathan: A Critique of Buchanan’s Conception of Lawmaking," Homo Oeconomicus: Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 41-69, October.
    6. Kliemt, Hartmut, 1994. "The Calculus of Consent after Thirty Years," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 79(3-4), pages 341-353, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lars P. Feld & Daniel Nientiedt, 2023. "The Freiburg School and the Virginia School: introduction to the special issue," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 195(3), pages 193-196, June.

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