Politics Judicial Review And The Russian Constitutional Court

Why are judicial review mechanisms being incorporated into so many states? Why do these courts become independent, powerful political actors in some cases but not in others? In this study, Carla Thorson analyzes why politicians would create an independent judicial institution with the authority to overrule their own decisions.

The focus of the book is on one country with no tradition of independent judicial review or of democratic forms of governance - Russia. Past practices and historical precedent do not support the formation of an independent judiciary in Russia, and yet a potentially powerful constitutional court exists and has been functioning for 20 years.

Over these two decades the Russian Constitutional Court has evolved from an institution with a great deal of power and promise to one with a much more limited role and set of responsibilities. Russian politicians have both used the court to further their own political objectives and sought to limit its powers.

The reasons for this are explored in this book. Review: 'A thoughtful and deeply informed analysis of the establishment and operation of Russia's Constitutional Court. Read and learn about this important development.' - George P. Shultz, 60th US Secretary of State, Distinguished Fellow, The Hoover Institution, Stanford University, USA 'Carla Thorson has been an astute observer of the Russian Constitutional Court from the time of its foundation.

Her book provides an impressive and thorough analysis of the changing role of this institution from its origins in the last years of the Soviet Union to the present day. Even though the Court's political independence has been seriously curbed, Thorson makes a convincing case for its continuing potential significance.' - Archie Brown, Emeritus Professor of Politics, Oxford University, UK