[Call for papers] Rendering advice on constitutional issues in modern polities

The European Yearbook of Constitutional Law (EYCL), co-published by T.M.C. Asser Press and Springer Publishers, has a call for submissions for its third volume (2021) on the theme of: Rendering advice on constitutional issues in modern polities. The deadline for proposals is 1 June 2020.

Traditionally, constitutional law in its approach and thinking departs from the classic separation of powers and the main legislative, executive and judicial bodies implied by this. While useful, a one-sided focus on these aspects risks obscuring the functions and bodies grouped around and in support of the legislators, administrators and judges that form the frontline of the modern-day constitutional edifice.

The increasing political polarisation and near gridlock in many societies today highlight the need for professional/independent/technocratic/scientific/objective/ scholarly advice in matters of constitutional importance, thereby rising above entrenched partisan lines and short-term thinking so characteristic of many polities. Rendering advice on constitutional issues in modern polities is an important and structural area of constitutional law that is often overlooked by scholarship. The EYCL invites scholars to address the theme of this call for papers in a holistic fashion, and welcomes contributions devoted, but not limited to:

- Critical analyses focussed on the need, justification, legitimacy, scope, effect, function, mandate and nature of advising on constitutional issues. How is/can/should such advice be rendered in modern polities, taking into account their political, constitutional and institutional context, complexity and problems? In short, analyses dealing with the why, what, when, how, with what effect and by whom of advising on constitutional issues are sought. The purpose is to go beyond mere description, by focussing on critical constitutional and/or theoretical analysis in order to understand and evaluate the theme fully.

Please find the full call here.

Deadline for proposals
Proposals of 350 to 500 words can be submitted to eycl@uvt.nl. The deadline for proposals is 1 June 2020, although earlier submissions are encouraged. Decisions to publish a submission are based on editorial and double-blind peer review. Please find the details of the call and the submission process here.

About the European Yearbook of Constitutional Law
The European Yearbook of Constitutional Law is an annual publication devoted to the study of constitutional law. The Yearbook provides a forum for in-depth analysis and discussion of new developments in constitutional law in Europe and beyond. Each issue is dedicated to a specific theme. The inaugural volume of the Yearbook covered the theme of ‘Judicial Power: Safeguards and Limits in a Democratic Society’ (2019). The second theme is devoted to ‘The City in Constitutional Law’ (2020).

The Yearbook is published by T.M.C. Asser Press in cooperation with Springer Publishers. The Editorial Board consists of Prof. dr. Ernst M.H. Hirsch Ballin, Tilburg Law School and Amsterdam Law School (Editor), Dr. Gerhard van der Schyff, Tilburg Law School (Editor), Dr. Maartje de Visser, Singapore Management University School of Law (Editor) and Maarten Stremler LLM, Maastricht Law School (Managing Editor).