Magna Carta and its Modern Legacy [Paperback]

In this book top scholars analyse the historic and contemporary influence of Magna Carta, challenging its common myths.To mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, this book gathers top scholars from the UK and US to analyze its historic and contemporary influence. Using a political science framework and a global scope extending from the U.K. to the Americas and the Pacific, the authors puncture numerous enduring myths.To mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, this book gathers top scholars from the UK and US to analyze its historic and contemporary influence. Using a political science framework and a global scope extending from the U.K. to the Americas and the Pacific, the authors puncture numerous enduring myths.Magna Carta is celebrated around the world as a symbol of limited government and constitutionalism. But in 1215 Magna Carta was a failure, abrogated within months. Why then do we celebrate this piece of parchment? To mark the 800th anniversary this book brings together top scholars from the UK, US and Australia to answer this question and analyse Magna Carta's historic and contemporary influence. Using a political science framework, Magna Carta and its Modern Legacy draws from scholarship on influence and constitutional design to explain how parchment can contain executive power. Individual chapters on Britain discuss such topics as socioeconomic rights in Magna Carta; Magna Carta and the British constitution; and public understanding of the charter. Internationally-focused chapters look at Magna Carta and jury trial in America, slavery in the Caribbean, court delays in the Pacific, the proportionality principle, and judicial supremacy.Preface; 1. Magna Carta& Holy Grail? James Melton and Robert Hazell; Part I. Influence in the UK: 2. Magna Carta, the rule of law and the reform of the Constitution Vernon Bogdanor; 3. Eight centuries on: who are Britain's barons now? Anthony King; 4. What Magna Carta means to the modern British public Roger MortilC"