The changes undermining the functioning of a constitutional democracy

Abstract

This paper reviews the changes that relate to institutions that play a central role in maintaining a functioning democracy. The chapters document how these institutions and areas where, one by one, transformed to undermine constitutionalism and democracy, subjecting them to a political logic that ended up undermining the autonomies that are essential to fulfil their constitutional and democratic mission. Chapter 1 discusses how essential features of parliamentarism disappeared, chapter 2 overviews the misuse of exceptional measures, and chapter 3 takes a brief look at how the independence of the judiciary has been challenged. Chapter 4 and 5 document key developments that transformed the fields of academia and media, areas that could have played an important role in checking power through public discussions.