It is well known that former US President Donald Trump admires the power strongman leaders wield. What is less well known are the problematic long-term constitutional consequences of this kind of strongman governance.
William Partlett's new book Why the Russian Constitution Matters (2024, Bloomsbury Publishing), explores these consequences. It argues that today's strongmen rely on what he calls the "constitutional dark arts". This is the argument the constitutional centralisation of power in a leader is a better way to secure democracy, sovereignty and economic development.
This centralisation of power has allowed strongmen like Vladimir Putin in Russia, Viktor Orban in Hungary and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey to co-opt democratic institutions such as courts, political parties, legislatures and elections and use them to legitimise their own leadership. But, over time, the constitutional dark arts does not achieve its stated goals. It instead leads to increasingly dysfunctional despotism, poor economic growth, and national security.
In examining the constitutional dark arts, the talk will examine: how has Putin weaponised the centralisation of constitutional power to build his own personal power? What are the implications for a post-Putin Russia? What role do constitutions play in shaping authoritarian strongman government elsewhere? And what lessons are there for American voters as they consider their choice in the upcoming election?
AIIA Victoria invites you to join A/Prof. William Partlett in conversation with Dr. Robert Horvath (La Trobe University) and Petr Kuzmin. Copies of the book will be available for sale at 20% discount. Or to order online, please go to: https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/why-the-russian-constitution-matters-9781509972197/.
To download the flyer please click here.
AIIA Victoria gratefully acknowledges the Walter Mangold Trust Fund for its support of our young members.
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