Constitutionalizing World Politics
The Logic of Democratic Power and the Unintended Consequences of International Treaty Making

Constitutionalization of world politics is emerging as an unintended consequence of international treaty making driven by the logic of democratic power.

Karolina M. Milewicz (Author)

9781108835091, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 July 2020

300 pages, 19 b/w illus. 48 tables
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.5 cm, 0.67 kg

'It is undoubtedly Milewicz's greatest merit that with this study she makes detailed and methodologically demanding analyses of the national and international level … If you look at the cover again after reading, you will be richer in essential knowledge of the elements of constitutionalism as well as empirical findings on recent democratic and constitutional politics.' Nina Reiners, Political Quarterly

The elusive ideal of a world constitution is unlikely to be realized any time soon – yet important steps in that direction are happening in world politics. Milewicz argues that international constitutionalization has gathered steam as an unintended by-product of international treaty making in the post-war period. This process is driven by the logic of democratic power, whereby states that are both democratic and powerful – democratic powers – are the strongest promoters of rule-based cooperation. Not realizing the inadvertent and long-term effects of the specialized rules they design, states fall into a constitutionalization trap that is hard to escape as it conforms with their interests and values. Milewicz's analysis will appeal to students and scholars of International Relations and International Law, interested in international cooperation, as well as institutional and constitutional theory and practice.

1. Constitutionalization of world politics – seriously?
Part I: 2. Constitutional elements
3. National constitutionalization
4. International constitutionalization
Part II: 5. The logic of democratic power and cooperation over international rules
6. Cooperation over international rules: evidence from treaty making
7. Prospects of constitutionalization in world politics.

Subject Areas: International organisations & institutions [LBBU], International economic & trade law [LBBM], Public international law [LBB], International relations [JPS], Politics & government [JP]