constitutionalism

Piotr Winczorek: Researcher, Teacher and Friend

Prof. UW dr hab. Tomasz Stawecki

University of Warsaw

English abstract: This article was written to commemorate Professor Piotr Winczorek, who passed away on 9 February 2015. He was associated with the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Warsaw for over 50 years. However, the article focuses on three dimensions of Professor’s academic activity: those of a researcher, teacher and friend. Piotr Winczorek’s scientific interests evolved. Initially, he studied the functioning of political parties, especially in Poland during the communist regime. In this context, he tried to study various forms of social and political pluralism. In the 1980s, Piotr Winczorek concentrated on the issues of legal theory, developing his own approach to legal realism. After 1989, Professor focused on issues of public law, especially on axiological assumptions and the practice of constitutionalism, particularly the primacy of the constitution in the legal order, the rule of law, the separation of powers, and equality before the law. Piotr Winczorek was also an extraordinary teacher. He conducted classes with students, initiated new subjects and new curricula. He wrote several textbooks and coursebooks for students, including the textbook Introduction to Jurisprudence, which had 14 editions published over the past 30 years. Professor was also known for his many articles and commentaries on constitutional issues. For his younger colleagues, Piotr Winczorek was a true friend. He would invite them on a daily basis to cooperate, do joint research, and publish together. He also showed great civil courage in defending us against bureaucratic or political attacks. His honesty and wisdom is still remembered well beyond the walls of the University of Warsaw.

Keywords: Piotr Winczorek, researcher, teacher, friend, legal theory, constitutionalism

Language: Polish

Published: Number 1(30)/2022, pp. 8-16

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36280/AFPiFS.2022.1.8

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Number of downloads: 363

This text is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial – No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Introduction to the Fidelity to the Constitution

Szymon A. Gasz, Marek P. Kaczmarczyk

University of Warsaw

English abstract: The time of changes taking place in the constitutional order, both constitutional and fait accompli changes, is undoubtedly an interesting opportunity for in-depth analyses. These analyses can be made from various perspectives. The authors focus on three basic perspectives – that of law, philosophy and political science – in order to investigate what they refer to as constitutional fidelity. The limited framework of the paper only permits providing an introduction to the subject. In this text, the authors indicate the basic categories of constitutional fidelity, reflect on the dimensions of this fidelity, and try to propose a solution to the puzzle of the future of Polish constitutionalism. The entire analysis repeatedly refers to sociological and, to some extent, psychological categories, because constitutional fidelity is, first of all, a proper civic attitude and a relationship, the awareness of which is often only discovered at a moment of crisis.

Keywords: constitution, constitutionalism, fidelity to the constitution, constitutional crisis, legal interpretation, civic society

Language: Polish

Published: Number 1(30)/2022, pp. 17-32

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36280/AFPiFS.2022.1.17

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Number of downloads: 357

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Back to the Past? The Evolution of the Legal Mechanisms Influencing the Collective Memories in Spain from the Central European Perspective

Dr Filip Cyuńczyk

SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities

English abstract: The article’s primary goal is to conduct case studies of Spanish memory policies introduced after 2007 and its comparison with CEE countries activities in the same field. The primary research hypothesis is: Do several case studies of several memory policies implemented in postcommunist states help examine the Spanish model of dealing with the past reformulation? This paper intends to show similarities and differences between Spanish and Central and Eastern European models of dealing with the past, which both are using legal means. I present some of the specific elements of postcommunist constitutionalisation in CEE, including memory narrations locations in several constitutions in the region. I also show the impact of memory narrations on individual states’ institutional policies from the CEE and the Kingdom of Spain. Finally, I show the hidden potential for Spanish political community reconstruction located in the memory laws.

Keywords: memory laws, juridification of the memory, collective memory, constitutionalism, democratic transtion

Language: Polish

Published: Number 3(28)/2021, pp. 22-38

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36280/AFPiFS.2021.3.22

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Number of downloads: 331

This text is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial – No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.