Rationalism in public Law

Gee, Graham and Webber, Grégoire C. N. (2013) Rationalism in public Law. Modern Law Review, 76 (4). pp. 708-734. ISSN 0026-7961

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Abstract

Rationalism is ‘the stylistic criterion of all respectable politics’. So lamented political philosopher Michael Oakeshott in a series of essays published in the 1940s and 1950s. Rationalism, for Oakeshott, is shorthand for a propensity to prioritise the universal over the local, the uniform over the particular and, ultimately, principle over practice. It culminates in the triumph of abstract principles over practical knowledge in a manner that erodes our ability to engage in political activity. Although Oakeshott’s critique was made with the practice and study of politics in mind, it has a wider relevance. For rationalism, as we see it, has become the dominant style in public law. We draw upon Oakeshott’s critique to elucidate the risks associated with rationalism in public law and call for a renewed engagement with practical knowledge in the study of the constitution.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/
Additional Information:	© 2013 The Authors
Divisions:	Law
Subjects:	K Law > K Law (General)
Date Deposited:	06 Dec 2012 08:18
Last Modified:	12 Dec 2024 00:19
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/47608

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