Religion, Law, and Democracy
Selected Writings
Ernst-Wolfgang Böckenförde
Edited by Mirjam Künkler and Tine Stein
Reviews and Awards
"The subject matter is interesting and provides an insight into middle European and South German politics and the religious influence on legal life." -- David Pickup, The Gazette
"This reasoned collection offers a fresh and comprehensive picture of Böckenförde's works on law, religion, and democracy. Page after page, the reader discovers the genuine richness and complexity of the philosophical, historical, and constitutional thinking of one of the outstanding intellectuals of the 20th century." -- Marta Cartabia , President of the Italian Constitutional Court
"Böckenförde was a major legal and political thinker who contributed in an important way to the building of post-war German democracy. He still has lessons to teach us all." -- Charles Taylor , Professor Emeritus, McGill University
"Ernst-Wolfgang Böckenförde was once called an intellectual giant with 'three souls'. He was a liberal Catholic deeply devoted to God and the church's Vatican II reforms; a high court judge sworn to uphold the constitution and the Rechtsstaat; and a social democrat bent on fostering greater liberty, justice, and welfare for all. All three souls — and a big mind and heart, too — grapple profoundly in these essays with fundamental questions of abortion, bioethics, religious freedom, human dignity, and much more." -- John Witte, Jr. , Director, Center for the Study of Law and Religion, Emory University