Legal Policy, Rule of Law, Constitutional and International Law
First and foremost, our state is a liberal constitutional state that grants and secures the rights and dignity of its citizens.
At a glance
- Rule of law and democracy are mutually dependent. They are enshrined in the Basic Law as fundamental constitutional principles and form the cornerstones of our liberal order.
- Law and politics exist in a relationship of tension. On the one hand, applicable law is the result of political decisions, while in democracies it is the task of the law to limit policy-makers’ scope for action, on the other.
- Globalisation, digitalisation and processes of transformation in society raise questions about the future of the liberal constitutional state and present it with major challenges.
- We are developing and promoting ideas on how constitutional principles can also be safeguarded in the future. For us, constitutional law is the foundation and the beating heart of our legal policy work.
- Abroad, we promote rule-of-law structures, the separation of powers (checks and balances) and an independent judiciary, to name a few, in various project countries through our Rule of Law Programme.
Content
1. Democracy needs the rule of law – and vice versa
2. The tension between law and politics
3. The constitution as the basis of our work
4. Thinking internationally about the rule of law and democracy
5. Our offers and projects on the topic
6. Publications, events and media contributions on the topic
Democracy needs the rule of law – and vice versa
Rule of law and democracy are two of the fundamental constitutional principles enshrined in Article 20 of the German Constitution and pillars of our liberal basic order. Protecting and preserving them is what guides our actions and is of top priority. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s projects at both national and international level advocate for the recognition of democratic principles, their implementation and further development.
The tension between law and politics
The balanced interaction between law and politics is essential for the legitimacy and performance of our state. Here, law and politics have a special relationship with one another: On the one hand, law is the outcome of political decisions, but at the same time law limits and controls the scope of action of politics. It is important to shape this tension in a productive way.
The constitution as the basis of our work
Constitutional law is the basis and core of our legal policy work. We would like to raise awareness about the significance of the Basic Law, and draw attention to conflicts and challenges surrounding the protection of fundamental rights and constitutional principles. Digitalisation and globalisation as well as changing social attitudes raise questions about the future of our liberal constitutional state. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung provides and promotes ideas on how constitutional principles can be safeguarded and developed in light of this change.
To that end, we accompany legislative processes in all areas of society with analyses and recommendations on reform projects. We provide information about the judiciary, especially about current and fundamental decisions taken by the Federal Constitutional Court. We cultivate and promote exchange among representatives from politics, jurisprudence, the judiciary and society on current legal policy issues.
Thinking internationally about the rule of law and democracy
At the same time, our legal policy work is a reflection of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s European and international orientation. The increasing Europeanisation and internationalisation of almost all areas of life present legislators and courts with difficult tasks when making their decisions. Our aim is to promote the interaction between national, European and international law through consultation and exchange of ideas.
International Rule of Law Programme
The goals of the work of our Rule of Law Programme include encouraging and maintaining rule of law structures, advocating for the separation of powers and a strong, independent judiciary, as well as guaranteeing fundamental and human rights. The six regional programmes are located here: Bogotá (Colombia) for Latin America, Singapore for Asia, Nairobi (Kenya) and Dakar (Senegal) for Sub-Saharan Africa (Anglophone and Francophone), Bucharest (Romania) for South-east Europe and Beirut (Lebanon) for the Middle East/North Africa. The global work on rule of law is coordinated from Berlin, with a focus being on global rule of law issues.
Rule of Law Academy
The Rule of Law as a political and legal commitment contributes profoundly to justice and prosperity in a community. It is a foundation stone for democratic governance and the full enjoyment of individual rights. It is also challenging to define, especially as different communities prioritize different facets of what is a complex concept. Does the Rule of Law require reflexive implementation of positive law, or does it demand appeals to elusive values like equity and dignity? On top of all this, the Rule of Law is fragile. It has blossomed relatively recently in human affairs. And it faces constant threats to its resonance and viability. The autocrats and thugs it disempowers will always seek to undermine or even eradicate the Rule of Law.
Event series
Key to our work in the field of legal policy are the annual events of the Berliner Rechtspolitische Konferenz (Berlin Legal Policy Conference) and the Berlin Annual Review of decisions taken by the Federal Constitutional Court from the previous year.
Berlin Legal Policy Conference
Once a year, high-ranking representatives from politics, academia and the judiciary come together at the traditional and distinguished Berlin Legal Policy Conference at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Academy to debate current legal policy issues in controversial panel discussions.
Berlin Annual Review
With the Berlin Annual Review, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has created its own event series dedicated to the German Constitutional Court and its work as the supreme interpreter of the Constitution and guardian of the Basic Law. The main emphasis of this forum are the most important decisions taken by the Karlsruhe Court from last year.
Podcasts and publication projects
In our podcast "Rule of Law Rules", we look at issues surrounding the rule of law in the era of digitalisation. What is more, the drop-down menu below will provide you with multi-part publication projects on current legal policy issues.
Rule of Law Rules
In 2021, the podcast “Rule of Law Rules” was produced on the annual theme of the Rule of Law Programmes “Rule of Law in the age of digitalization”. Dr Angela Daly interviews international experts on data protection, legal tech and the use of artificial intelligence. The podcast is in English and comprises twelve episodes.
Contributions to the Debate on Abortion
The Criminal Code consolidates key norms to protect essential legal rights of its citizens, including the protection of life and unborn children. The Federal Constitutional Court regularly emphasizes the constitutional obligation of the state to protect life and physical integrity of its citizens. This is also evident in the current legal regulations under § 218 ff. StGB. The importance of the existing legal compromise should not be underestimated in the context of our democratic society.
Learn more about the contributions to the debate on abortion
Contributions to the Debate on Assisted Suicide as an Act of Business
After the German Constitutional Court declared § 217 of the German Penal Code (StGB), which criminalised the commercial promotion of suicide, to be null and void in February 2020, politics and society now face the question on how to deal with wishes to die and assisted suicide. Read our contributions to the debate on the topic of commercial assisted suicide.
Learn more about the contributions to the debate on assisted suicide
Contributions to the Debate on Triage
With the onset of the pandemic in Spring 2020, the question about how to deal with triage situations has gained frightening relevance. Here you will find a compilation of our legal policy contributions on the issue of triage.
Publications to the topic
Key votes during the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council
Map of the Month 03/2024
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
In conversation with Dr. Randy Rydell
International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness
IMAGO / CTK Photo
Fico pushes through controversial criminal law reform - and thus unites the opposition
The fight for the rule of law characterises the first months of the legislative period. Presidential elections in March will also be essential for the country's further development....
IMAGO / ZUMA Wire
Senegal's democracy passes the stress test
The Constitutional Council has repealed Macky Salls' decree of 03.02.24 annulling the elections
Beyond PM2.5
Environmental Justice and Insight Urban Solution for the Next Generation
Voting behaviour in line with Germany’s and China's positioning in the UN Human Rights Council 2023
Map of the Month 01/2024
Geneva Barometer
Developments among Geneva-based international organisations from October to December 2023
iStock
Human Rights Day: Legal experts discussing the intersection between human rights and climate change
Human Rights Day 2023
75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Map of the Month 12/2023
"The Most Important Document of the Century"
75 Years Universal Declaration of Human Rights
ESG principles and Disclosures in United Kingdom and South Africa (The Third Report)
Interdisciplinary Journal of Economics and Business Law (IJEBL)
At the mid-point of the 2030 agenda: some reflections on Justice for All
United Nations Day
UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Driving Change Towards Racial Justice and Equality
International Day for People of African Descent
UN Photo / Jean-Marc Ferré
Geneva Barometer
Developments among Geneva-based international organisations from end-April to mid-July 2023
Corgarashu, stock.adobe.com
Between dialogue and resistance The conflict on the final word in the European judicial order
An analysis of current developments and conflicts between national constitutional courts and the European Court of Justice (ECJ)
Urgent debate on Quran burning and key votes at 53rd UN Human Rights Council
Map of the Month 07/2023
Stephan Raabe
Probleme der inneren Sicherheit
Wo lauern die größten Gefahren und wie ist ihnen zu begegnen?
IMAGO / ZUMA Wire
Ecuador: Muerte Cruzada Keeps President Guillermo Lasso in Office
By using the controversial but constitutional tool of muerte cruzada, President Lasso avoids imminent impeachment and provokes dissolution of Ecuador's National Assembly.
Concise Atlas of International Geneva 2021/2022
Developments of international Geneva in maps
Creating a European Municipality of Novo Selo: Integrity Policy for Zero Corruption
Integrity Study and Integrity Handbook
Event Reports on the topic
Jana Reimann-Grohs/KAS
Der Berliner Jahresrückblick 2024
Rückblick auf die Rechtsprechung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts
Das Grundgesetz für dich und mich
Grundrechtearena an der Trude-Herr-Gesamtschule in Köln
Jahresauftakt zu 75 Jahre Grundgesetz
KAS Bremen
Folgt nun die Renaissance des Weimarer Dreiecks?
Jana Reimann-Grohs/KAS
Einwanderungsland Deutschland – Rechtliche Perspektiven im Spannungsfeld der Migrationspolitik
17. Berliner Rechtspolitische Konferenz
Braucht Bremen einen Neustaat
Abendveranstaltung zum Thema Bürokratie und zu Nadine Schön’s Buch „Neustaat“
Rücksicht und Respekt auf jeder Ebene der Gesellschaft
Eine Veranstaltung im Deutschen Fußballmuseum
Juliane Liebers
Das Karlsruher Gerichtsjahr 2022
Der Berliner Jahresrückblick auf die Rechtsprechung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts 2023
KAS/Christiane Stahr
Zur Rolle des Grundgesetzes in der Geschichtsschreibung über die Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Kommt die Wirkungsgeschichte der deutschen Verfassung und des Bundesverfassungsgerichts zu kurz?
Martin Reuber
Stresstest für die liberalen Demokratien
Argumente gegen die totalitäre Versuchung
Rücksicht und Respekt - Wie gehen wir in Zukunft miteinander um?
Ein Abend mit Herbert Reul in Köln-Chorweiler
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.
Was Europa im Innersten zusammenhält – Konflikte und Reformansätze in der EU
16. Berliner Rechtspolitische Konferenz
Der Streit ums letzte Wort
Talk im Bahnhof „Das Bundesverfassungsgericht – Hüter des Grundgesetzes“
@Juliane Liebers, KAS
Das Karlsruher Jubiläumsjahr — 70 Jahre Bundesverfassungsgericht
Der Berliner Jahresrückblick auf die Rechtsprechung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts 2021
Juliane Liebers
"Der Greta-Effekt und die Gerichtsbarkeit. Judizialisierung des Klimaschutzes – Ausweg oder Irrweg?"
15. Berliner Rechtspolitische Konferenz
Bild von Hans Braxmeier auf Pixabay
„Der vernachlässigte Rechtsstaat“
Online-Frühstücksrunde mit Thorsten Schleif und Dr. Oguzhan Yazici.
Nicola Quarz / flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 / creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
Kontroverse Karlsruher Kontrolldichte
Jahresrückblick auf die Rechtsprechung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts 2020
Brian Gratwicke / flickr / CC BY 2.0 / creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Auf der Suche nach gerechten Auswahlverfahren in Triage-Situationen
Fachgespräch über die Zuteilung intensivmedizinischer Ressourcen in Krisenzeiten / Fragen des Diskriminierungsschutzes und der Rechtssicherheit
wikimedia/Olaf Kosinsky/CC by SA 3.0
„Die Verfassung gilt uneingeschränkt auch in krisenhaften Zeiten der Pandemie.“
Der Präsident des Bundesverfassungsgerichts, Prof. Stephan Harbarth, sprach in der KAS über den Rechtsstaat in Zeiten der Corona-Pandemie.
dpa
Biometrische Gesichtserkennung in der Polizeiarbeit
Fachgespräch über technische und verfassungsrechtliche Machbarkeit
Media library
How should Parliament work?
Please enjoy this superb video by our partner organisation OUTA on a) how SA's government works, b) why parliament is failing, c) what parliament should do and d) how to fix SA.
read now
#12: Ivan Rašić on Legal Technology in Southeast Europe
Rašić works at “Start it smart”, the biggest entrepreneurship club in Bulgaria. Their goal is to spread the entrepreneurship culture and way of thinking among the young people.
read now
