Law Commons^™

Some Thoughts Raised By Magna Carta: The Popular Re-Election Of Judges, William Hamilton Bryson

Law Faculty Publications

This essay, first presented at the Magna Carta anniversary symposium of the Baronial Order of Magna Charta on April 16, 2015, at The Cosmos Club, in Washington, D.C., takes as its inspiration the spirit of the rule of law, as laid down in the Magna Carta. Specifically, the author argues that the popular election and reelection of judges undermines the rule of law, and democracy in general, by exposing judges to the manipulations of financial corruption, political intimidation, and the often irrational shifts in popular opinion. To correct this problem, the author calls for amendment of the thirty-nine state constitutions …

Magna Carta's Rule Of Politics, John F. Preis

Law Faculty Publications

Eight hundred years ago last week in a meadow west of London, King John of England did something peculiar for a king: He promised to obey "the law of the land." And thus was born, we have been taught, America's "rule of law" - the principle that political leaders must act within boundaries set out in law.

English kings at that time did not feel bound to obey the law (much less anything else), so John's promise is typically celebrated as a huge step forward in the history of good government. It is entirely proper to remember Magna Carta for …

Imperio Del Derecho Versus Imperio De Los Jueces, Richard Stith

Law Faculty Publications

¿Es posible el imperio del derecho (rule of law)? El derecho, para imperar, debe ser impuesto. Pero cuando es impuesto, puede no ser el derecho mismo sino aquellos que lo imponen quienes imperen. Para sujetar estas autoridades firmemente al derecho, ellas también tendrían que estar sometidas no sólo al derecho mismo sino a una fuerza aún más poderosa que podría ser igualmente arbitraria. De este modo, el sólo esfuerzo por asegurar el imperio del derecho conduce a la creación de potenciales tiranos cada vez más poderosos.

Dicho de otro modo: si se suprimen la policía y los tribunales de justicia, …