Trials of the State

Synopsis of Trials of the State

«Trials of the State: Law and the Decline of Politics» is Jonathan Sumption's essay on law and politics, in paperback (128 pages, in English).

Jonathan Sumption examines the relationship between law and politics, arguing that courts are taking on functions that belong to elected representatives. Faced with paralyzed parliaments, many turn to judges to settle political and moral debates, but the lack of democratic accountability ends up radicalizing society. Drawing on his 2019 Reith Lectures, the author argues that some issues, such as abortion or prisoner voting, should be decided by politicians again.

Published by Profile Books in 2020, it was a Sunday Times bestseller.

Will appeal to law students, legal professionals and readers of political philosophy.