The Medieval Constitution of Liberty
Alexander William Salter|Andrew Young
Why did enduring traditions of economic and political liberty emerge in Western Europe not elsewhere? Representative democracy, constitutionalism, the rule law are crucial for establishing a just prosperous society, which we usually treat as fruits Renaissance Enlightenment, European societies put Dark Ages behind them. In The Medieval Constitution Liberty, Salter Young point instead to constitutional order that characterized High Middle Ages. They provide historical account how this evolved following fall Roman Empire. This runs from settlements militarized Germanic elites within imperial frontiers, host successor kingdoms sixth seventh centuries, through short-lived Carolingian empire late eighth ninth centuries so-called “feudal anarchy” followed its demise. Given unique backdrop, consider resulting structures property rights. argue reality approximated ideal type, they term polycentric sovereignty. theoretical analysis sovereignty, arguing bargains between rights holders sort will lead improvements governance.
Library Union Catalog of Bavaria, Berlin and Brandenburg (B3Kat Repository)