Constitutional sentiments

András Sajó*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Book/Report typesBookpeer-review

Abstract (may include machine translation)

Constitutions typically are conceived as products of rational thought, as grand triumphs of the mind in proposing the rules of civil order. Yet, as Andras Sajo astutely points out in this book, emotion plays a vital role in shaping behavior, and, consequently, no understanding of constitutional development will be complete without due consideration of the role played by individual and social sentiments. In other words, constitutions are written to regulate human behavior and affairs, but they do so by appealing to people's hearts and not only their minds. Drawing on current research from the social sciences, Sajo discusses the influences of emotions such as fear and shame in the making, maintenance, and development of constitutional systems. Whereas laws can always be rationalized in hindsight, Sajo maintains and illustrates that the motivational impetus behind much of what we design into law concerns the regulation of emotion. Thus, by describing the sentiments that underlie.

Original languageEnglish
PublisherYale University Press
Number of pages382
ISBN (Print)9780300139266
StatePublished - 2011

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