Policy dialogue focuses on transitions to constitutional democracy

This week, South African Research Chair in Multilevel Government, Law and Policy hosted two policy dialogues with Professor Xavier Philippe, the director of the Louis Favoreu Institute of Public Law and Comparative International and European Law at the University of Aix-Marseille, France.

The first dialogue looked at the question of constitutional transition to democracy  in a state ruled by the military. He focused on how to negotiate a constitutional transition when the military leaders have accepted the idea of transition through a democratic process. Prof Philippe looked at the Myanmar context where the military ruling took place since 1992. He compared Myanmar with Chile and Indonesia, which also negotiated transitions from military to civilian governments, which were tied to constitutional reform.  The second dialogue looked at the French presidential election and its impact on the future of the European Union.

Prof Philippe has wide experience with constitutional reform in countries moving from authoritarian regimes to constitutional democracies. He has been a legal adviser to the Tunisian National Constitutional Assembly, advising on the Bill of Rights and has been engaged in the transition process in Myanmar (Burma) – from a military regime to a democracy.

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