El Manfalouty, Omar --- "Authoritarian constitutionalism in the Islamic world: theoretical considerations and comparative observations on Syria and Turkey" [2019] ELECD 1156; in Alviar Garcia, Helena; Frankenberg, Gunter (eds), "Authoritarian Constitutionalism" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019) 95

Book Title: Authoritarian Constitutionalism

Editor(s): Alviar García, Helena; Frankenberg, Günter

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Section: Chapter 5

Section Title: Authoritarian constitutionalism in the Islamic world: theoretical considerations and comparative observations on Syria and Turkey

Author(s): El Manfalouty, Omar

Number of pages: 20

Abstract/Description:

This article initially explores the nature and interplay of power, authority and constitutionalism, before applying this theoretical framework to the cases of Syria’s constitutional referendum of 2012 and the Turkish constitutional referendum of 2017. Comparison of the two cases reveals sharply contrasting strategies of the actors involved: the case of Turkey exemplifies a conscious choice to transform transient political power into deeply rooted authority by essentially reshaping the foundation of the republic; Syria, on the other hand, presents itself as a borderline case of authoritarian constitutionalism since authority within the body politic is deliberately sacrificed through a thorough reliance on pure violence and foreign support in order to impose rule rather than to govern. Apart from these differences, shared challenges to constitutional authority will also be demonstrated and – drawing on the first, analytical section of the contribution – possible remedies pointed out.