Judicial review and political empowerment: Abortion in Spain

West European Politics

Volumn 21, Issue 4, 1998, Pages 147-162

  Barreiro, Belen ^a  

^a UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID   (Spain)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ABORTION; EMPOWERMENT; LEGAL SYSTEM; POLITICAL SYSTEM;

SPAIN;

EID: 0032439324     PISSN: 01402382     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/01402389808425275     Document Type: Article

References (48)

1. For a development of the meaning of judicial review, see The Federalist Papers (Article 78) and the Supreme Court decision Marbury vs. Madison, where judicial review was first implemented. For a defence of constitutional democracy, see R. Dworkin, Taking Rights Seriously (Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP 1977) pp.131-49; idem. Freedom's Law (ibid. 1996) pp.1-38; S. Freeman, 'Constitutional Democracy and the Legitimacy of Judicial Review', Law and Philosophy 9 (1990/1991 ) pp.327-70.
2. For a development of the meaning of judicial review, see The Federalist Papers (Article 78) and the Supreme Court decision Marbury vs. Madison, where judicial review was first implemented. For a defence of constitutional democracy, see R. Dworkin, Taking Rights Seriously (Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP 1977) pp.131-49; idem. Freedom's Law (ibid. 1996) pp.1-38; S. Freeman, 'Constitutional Democracy and the Legitimacy of Judicial Review', Law and Philosophy 9 (1990/1991 ) pp.327-70.
3. For a development of the meaning of judicial review, see The Federalist Papers (Article 78) and the Supreme Court decision Marbury vs. Madison, where judicial review was first implemented. For a defence of constitutional democracy, see R. Dworkin, Taking Rights Seriously (Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP 1977) pp.131-49; idem. Freedom's Law (ibid. 1996) pp.1-38; S. Freeman, 'Constitutional Democracy and the Legitimacy of Judicial Review', Law and Philosophy 9 (1990/1991 ) pp.327-70.
4. For a development of the meaning of judicial review, see The Federalist Papers (Article 78) and the Supreme Court decision Marbury vs. Madison, where judicial review was first implemented. For a defence of constitutional democracy, see R. Dworkin, Taking Rights Seriously (Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP 1977) pp.131-49; idem. Freedom's Law (ibid. 1996) pp.1-38; S. Freeman, 'Constitutional Democracy and the Legitimacy of Judicial Review', Law and Philosophy 9 (1990/1991 ) pp.327-70.
5. On procedural democracy, see B. Barry, Democracy and Power (Oxford: Clarendon Press 1991) pp.24-60;
6. J.H. Ely, Democracy and Distrust. A Theory of Judicial Review (Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP 1980) pp.87-8.
7. See J. Elster, 'Majority rule and individual rights', in S. Shute and S. Harely, On Human Rights (NY: Basic Books 1993) pp. 175-216, 189-92.
8. These arguments have been defended in particular for the French and German cases. See A. Stone, 'The Birth and Development of Abstract Review: Constitutional Courts and Policymaking in Western Europe', Policy Studies Journal 19/1 (1990) pp.81-9; A. Stone, 'In the Shadow of the Constitutional Court: The Juridicisation of the Legislative Process in France', West European Politics 12/2 (April 1989) pp.12-34; idem, The Birth of Judicial Politics in France (Oxford: OUP 1992); idem, 'Where Judicial Politics Are Legislative Politics: The French Constitutional Council', West European Politics 15/3 (Sept. 1992) pp.29-49; C. Landfried, 'The Impact of the German Constitutional Court on Policy Output', Government and Opposition 20/4 (1985) pp.522-41; M.L. Volcansek, 'Judges, Courts and Policy-Making in Western Europe', West European Politics ibid. pp.1-8; C. Landfried, 'Judicial Policy-Making in Germany: the Federal Constitutional Court', ibid, pp.50-67.
9. These arguments have been defended in particular for the French and German cases. See A. Stone, 'The Birth and Development of Abstract Review: Constitutional Courts and Policymaking in Western Europe', Policy Studies Journal 19/1 (1990) pp.81-9; A. Stone, 'In the Shadow of the Constitutional Court: The Juridicisation of the Legislative Process in France', West European Politics 12/2 (April 1989) pp.12-34; idem, The Birth of Judicial Politics in France (Oxford: OUP 1992); idem, 'Where Judicial Politics Are Legislative Politics: The French Constitutional Council', West European Politics 15/3 (Sept. 1992) pp.29-49; C. Landfried, 'The Impact of the German Constitutional Court on Policy Output', Government and Opposition 20/4 (1985) pp.522-41; M.L. Volcansek, 'Judges, Courts and Policy-Making in Western Europe', West European Politics ibid. pp.1-8; C. Landfried, 'Judicial Policy-Making in Germany: the Federal Constitutional Court', ibid, pp.50-67.
10. These arguments have been defended in particular for the French and German cases. See A. Stone, 'The Birth and Development of Abstract Review: Constitutional Courts and Policymaking in Western Europe', Policy Studies Journal 19/1 (1990) pp.81-9; A. Stone, 'In the Shadow of the Constitutional Court: The Juridicisation of the Legislative Process in France', West European Politics 12/2 (April 1989) pp.12-34; idem, The Birth of Judicial Politics in France (Oxford: OUP 1992); idem, 'Where Judicial Politics Are Legislative Politics: The French Constitutional Council', West European Politics 15/3 (Sept. 1992) pp.29-49; C. Landfried, 'The Impact of the German Constitutional Court on Policy Output', Government and Opposition 20/4 (1985) pp.522-41; M.L. Volcansek, 'Judges, Courts and Policy-Making in Western Europe', West European Politics ibid. pp.1-8; C. Landfried, 'Judicial Policy-Making in Germany: the Federal Constitutional Court', ibid, pp.50-67.
11. These arguments have been defended in particular for the French and German cases. See A. Stone, 'The Birth and Development of Abstract Review: Constitutional Courts and Policymaking in Western Europe', Policy Studies Journal 19/1 (1990) pp.81-9; A. Stone, 'In the Shadow of the Constitutional Court: The Juridicisation of the Legislative Process in France', West European Politics 12/2 (April 1989) pp.12-34; idem, The Birth of Judicial Politics in France (Oxford: OUP 1992); idem, 'Where Judicial Politics Are Legislative Politics: The French Constitutional Council', West European Politics 15/3 (Sept. 1992) pp.29-49; C. Landfried, 'The Impact of the German Constitutional Court on Policy Output', Government and Opposition 20/4 (1985) pp.522-41; M.L. Volcansek, 'Judges, Courts and Policy-Making in Western Europe', West European Politics ibid. pp.1-8; C. Landfried, 'Judicial Policy-Making in Germany: the Federal Constitutional Court', ibid, pp.50-67.
12. These arguments have been defended in particular for the French and German cases. See A. Stone, 'The Birth and Development of Abstract Review: Constitutional Courts and Policymaking in Western Europe', Policy Studies Journal 19/1 (1990) pp.81-9; A. Stone, 'In the Shadow of the Constitutional Court: The Juridicisation of the Legislative Process in France', West European Politics 12/2 (April 1989) pp.12-34; idem, The Birth of Judicial Politics in France (Oxford: OUP 1992); idem, 'Where Judicial Politics Are Legislative Politics: The French Constitutional Council', West European Politics 15/3 (Sept. 1992) pp.29-49; C. Landfried, 'The Impact of the German Constitutional Court on Policy Output', Government and Opposition 20/4 (1985) pp.522-41; M.L. Volcansek, 'Judges, Courts and Policy-Making in Western Europe', West European Politics ibid. pp.1-8; C. Landfried, 'Judicial Policy-Making in Germany: the Federal Constitutional Court', ibid, pp.50-67.
13. These arguments have been defended in particular for the French and German cases. See A. Stone, 'The Birth and Development of Abstract Review: Constitutional Courts and Policymaking in Western Europe', Policy Studies Journal 19/1 (1990) pp.81-9; A. Stone, 'In the Shadow of the Constitutional Court: The Juridicisation of the Legislative Process in France', West European Politics 12/2 (April 1989) pp.12-34; idem, The Birth of Judicial Politics in France (Oxford: OUP 1992); idem, 'Where Judicial Politics Are Legislative Politics: The French Constitutional Council', West European Politics 15/3 (Sept. 1992) pp.29-49; C. Landfried, 'The Impact of the German Constitutional Court on Policy Output', Government and Opposition 20/4 (1985) pp.522-41; M.L. Volcansek, 'Judges, Courts and Policy-Making in Western Europe', West European Politics ibid. pp.1-8; C. Landfried, 'Judicial Policy-Making in Germany: the Federal Constitutional Court', ibid, pp.50-67.
14. These arguments have been defended in particular for the French and German cases. See A. Stone, 'The Birth and Development of Abstract Review: Constitutional Courts and Policymaking in Western Europe', Policy Studies Journal 19/1 (1990) pp.81-9; A. Stone, 'In the Shadow of the Constitutional Court: The Juridicisation of the Legislative Process in France', West European Politics 12/2 (April 1989) pp.12-34; idem, The Birth of Judicial Politics in France (Oxford: OUP 1992); idem, 'Where Judicial Politics Are Legislative Politics: The French Constitutional Council', West European Politics 15/3 (Sept. 1992) pp.29-49; C. Landfried, 'The Impact of the German Constitutional Court on Policy Output', Government and Opposition 20/4 (1985) pp.522-41; M.L. Volcansek, 'Judges, Courts and Policy-Making in Western Europe', West European Politics ibid. pp.1-8; C. Landfried, 'Judicial Policy-Making in Germany: the Federal Constitutional Court', ibid, pp.50-67.
15. This has been suggested by S. Holmes in his 'Gag Rules and the Politics of Ommission', in J. Elster and R. Slagstad (eds) Constitutionalism and Democracy (Cambridge: Cambridge UP 1988) pp.19-58; and more particularly, S. Holmes, 'Precomitment and the Paradox of Democracy', in ibid, pp.195-240.
16. This has been suggested by S. Holmes in his 'Gag Rules and the Politics of Ommission', in J. Elster and R. Slagstad (eds) Constitutionalism and Democracy (Cambridge: Cambridge UP 1988) pp.19-58; and more particularly, S. Holmes, 'Precomitment and the Paradox of Democracy', in ibid, pp.195-240.
17. The benefits of non-majoritarian institutions (in particular, the ability for act free from partisan interests, the identification of public values and the formulation of more stable outcomes) have been highlighted by G. Majone, 'When Does Policy Deliberation Matter?', European University Institute WP SPS 12 (1993).
18. Regulative policies constitute one category in the clasification of public policies. See T.J. Lowi, 'American Business, Public Policy, Case Studies, and Political Theory', World Politics 16 (1964) pp.677-715. For an application of Lowi's framework to abortion policy, see R. Tatalovich and W. Daynes, 'Moral Controversies and the Policy-Making Process: Lowi's Framework applied to the abortion issue', Policy Studies Review 3/2 (1984) pp.207-22.
19. Regulative policies constitute one category in the clasification of public policies. See T.J. Lowi, 'American Business, Public Policy, Case Studies, and Political Theory', World Politics 16 (1964) pp.677-715. For an application of Lowi's framework to abortion policy, see R. Tatalovich and W. Daynes, 'Moral Controversies and the Policy-Making Process: Lowi's Framework applied to the abortion issue', Policy Studies Review 3/2 (1984) pp.207-22.
20. For an analysis of the Spanish Constitutional Court and its powers, see E. García de Enterría, La Constitución como norma y el Tribunal Constitucional (Madrid: Civitas 1985) pp.137-55; L. Favoreu, Los Tribunales Constitucionales (Barcelona: Ariel 1994);
21. For an analysis of the Spanish Constitutional Court and its powers, see E. García de Enterría, La Constitución como norma y el Tribunal Constitucional (Madrid: Civitas 1985) pp.137-55; L. Favoreu, Los Tribunales Constitucionales (Barcelona: Ariel 1994);
22. F.Rubio Llorente, La Forma del Poder: Estudios sobre la Constitución (Madrid: Centro de Estudios Constitucionales 1993). The Spanish Constitutional Court also resolves the conflicts between the State and the autonomous regions and those between the different institutions of the State.
23. From July 1980 to Dec. 1994, the total of different types of referrals were 29814. 28106 were individual referrals (thus, 94 per cent).
24. See J. Pérez Royo, 'Crónica de un error: El Recurso Previo de Inconstitucionalidad contra las leyes orgánicas', Revista Española de Derecho Constitucional 6/17 (1986) pp.159-62.
25. See previous note. See also M. Gascón Abellán, 'La Justicia Constitucional: entre Legislación y Jurisdicción', Revista Española de Derecho Constitucional 14/41 (1994) pp.63-87; J. Gómez Montoro, 'El Control Previo de Constitucionalidad de Proyectos de Estatutos de Autonomía y demás Leyes Orgánicas', ibid. 8/22 (1988) pp.121-74.
26. See previous note. See also M. Gascón Abellán, 'La Justicia Constitucional: entre Legislación y Jurisdicción', Revista Española de Derecho Constitucional 14/41 (1994) pp.63-87; J. Gómez Montoro, 'El Control Previo de Constitucionalidad de Proyectos de Estatutos de Autonomía y demás Leyes Orgánicas', ibid. 8/22 (1988) pp.121-74.
27. Both aims were stressed by the Minister of Justice at that time in a personal interview carried out in Oct. 1996. But see also the parliamentary speeches of Socialist deputies, López Riaño, Justice and Internal Affairs Committee, Congress of Deputies, 7 March 1983, and Pelayo, Plenary session, Congress of Deputies, 5 Oct. 1983.
28. A survey carried out in Feb. 1983 by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológical, the public opinion poll institute, showed that 62 per cent of those asked were in favour of allowing abortion when the health of the mother was in danger and 66 per cent when her life was in danger; 62 per cent supported the legalisation of eugenic abortion and 56 per cent ethical abortion. See, Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas, Problemas sociales: Actitudes y opiniones de los españoles ante la natalidad, el aborto y la eutanasia (Madrid: Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas 1989).
29. For an analysis of the Socialist catch-all strategy, see J.M. Maravall, 'From Opposition to Government: the Politics and Policies of the PSOE' in idem et al., Socialist Parties in Europe (Barcelona: Inst. de Ciences Polítiques i Socials 1991) pp.7-34. For the relationship between the PSOE and the Catholic church, see E. Mujal-León, 'The Left and the Catholic Question in Spain', West European Politics 5/2 (April 1982) pp.32-54.
30. For an analysis of the Socialist catch-all strategy, see J.M. Maravall, 'From Opposition to Government: the Politics and Policies of the PSOE' in idem et al., Socialist Parties in Europe (Barcelona: Inst. de Ciences Polítiques i Socials 1991) pp.7-34. For the relationship between the PSOE and the Catholic church, see E. Mujal-León, 'The Left and the Catholic Question in Spain', West European Politics 5/2 (April 1982) pp.32-54.
31. See the statement by the party's leader, Manuel Fraga, in El Pais, 27 Jan. 1983.
32. For the constitutional debates over abortion, see Plenary session, Congress of Deputies, 6 July 1978. See also G. Peces-Barba, La elaboración de la Constitucion de 1978 (Madrid: Centro de Estudios Constitucionales 1988) p.225.
33. For an analysis of the resolution of the abortion issue and other religious conflicts during the constitutional debates, see R. Gunther and R.A. Blough, 'Conflicto religioso y consenso en España: Historia de dos Constituciones', Revista de Estudios Políticos 14 (1980) pp.65-109.
34. See the statement of the Minister of Justice to El Pais, 2 Feb. 1983.
35. See also the parliamnetary intervention, Plenum, Congress of Deputies, 4 Oct. 1983.
36. Estado de necesidad.
37. Sentence 53, 11 April 1985, Boletín Oficial del Estado 119, 18 May 1985.
38. Of the six magistrates who opposed the sentence, three had been elected with the support of the centrist party, the Unión de Centro Democrático (UCD), and the other three with the support of the PSOE.
39. Individual vote by Díez-Picazo. Sentence 53, 11 April 1985, Boletin Oficial del Estado 119, 18 May 1985.
40. Individual vote by Rubio Llorente. Sentence 53, ibid.
41. There were only two exceptions: two Socialist deputies criticised the sentence. El Pais, 12 April 1985.
42. Parliamentary Committee, Congress of Deputies, 14 May 1985.
43. See El Pais, 12 July 1993.
44. See El Pais, 16 Oct. 1989.
45. R. Dworkin, Life's Dominion: An Argument about Abortion, Euthanasia and Individual Freedom (NY: Knopf 1993).
46. Ruiz-Gallardón, Plenum, Congress of Deputies, 28 May 1985. Also Sierra Herrera, Plenum, Senate, 25 June 1985.
47. Ruiz-Gallardón, Plenum, Congress of Deputies, 28 May 1985. Also Sierra Herrera, Plenum, Senate, 25 June 1985.
48. R. Keech, 'Rules, Discretion and Accountability in Macroeconomic Policymaking', Governance 5/3 (July 1992) p.260.