Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution. A. V. Dicey
Читать онлайн книгу.Constitutional Ideas
[print edition page xxxiii]
Second objection—No real necessity for formation of any new federal constitution for Empire | ciii |
Characteristics of federal government in relation to Home Rule all round (i.e. federalisation of United Kingdom) | civ |
Vagueness of the ideas which support the policy of federalisation of United Kingdom (Home Rule all round) | cv |
Specific objections to Home Rule all round | cvi |
First objection—No desire for Federalism in any part of United Kingdom | cvi |
Second objection—Federalisation of United Kingdom does not promote Imperial Federalism | cvii |
Third objection—Such federalisation opposed to whole history of English constitutionalism | cvii |
The Referendum | cviii |
Meaning of referendum | cviii |
Causes for demand for referendum | cx |
The main argument against the referendum | cxi |
The main argument in favour of the referendum | cxiv |
Conclusions | cxvii |
[print edition page xxxiv]
[print edition page xxxv]
AIM
The Law of the Constitution was first published in 1885. The book was based on lectures delivered by me as Vinerian Professor of English Law. The lectures were given and the book written with the sole object of explaining and illustrating three leading characteristics in the existing constitution of England; they are now generally designated as the Sovereignty of Parliament, the Rule of Law, and the Conventions of the Constitution. The book, therefore, dealt with the main features of our constitution as it stood in 1884-85, that is thirty years ago. The work has already gone through seven editions; each successive edition, including the seventh, has been brought up to date, as the expression goes, by amending it so as to embody any change in or affecting the constitution which may have occurred since the last preceding edition. On publishing the eighth and final edition of this treatise I have thought it expedient to pursue a different course. The constant amendment of a book republished in successive editions during thirty years is apt to take from it any such literary merits as it may originally have possessed. Recurring