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Towards a Constitution of the Earth

Humanity at the Crossroads

Towards a Constitution of the Earth cover

Description

This book argues that a Constitution of the Earth is not a utopian ideal, but is, in fact, the only realistic way of saving our planet from wars, environmental destruction, climate change, pandemics, widespread violations of human rights, and unbridled public and private powers.

It sets out a four-step plan:
First, it argues for the introduction of a new category of offences, 'systemic crimes', to address harmful conduct which currently escapes criminal liability.
Second, it highlights the inadequacy of existing national governments and international organisations, to cope with a range of global anti-humanitarian policies.
Third, taking seriously the commitment to universal human rights enshrined in existing constitutions and international charters and covenants, it proposes a stateless form of global constitutionalism. This model would be grounded on guarantist institutions, operating on a supranational level, regulating markets, promoting the overall enjoyment of fundamental rights and essential goods and services, and, ultimately, seeking to achieve universal and lasting peace.
Fourthly, and finally, it presents a draft Constitution of the Earth, comprising 100 Articles, intended as a foundation for debate and deliberation.

Towards a Constitution of the Earth is written for, and accessible to, any person concerned about the present state of world affairs, those opposed to a fatalist acceptance of the “Might makes Right” principle, and who believe in the rational possibility of a better world for all.

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Table of Contents

Preface
Planning the Future
Introduction to the English Translation

Part One: Global Catastrophes
1. Humanity at the Crossroads: The Kantian Project
2. The Covid-19 Pandemic and its Lessons
3. Global Emergencies and Disasters
4. Systemic Crimes

Part Two: The Limits of Contemporary Constitutionalism
5. Global Constitutionalism: Making Universal Human Rights Come True
6. The Powerlessness of State Constitutionalism
7. Failure and Greatness of the United Nations Organization: Toward a Federation of the Earth
8. Primary and Secondary Institutions and Functions of Global Guarantee

Part Three: Taking Constitutionalism Beyond the State: Four Extensions of The Constitutional Paradigm
9. Making Constitutionalism Supranational
10. Establishing Constitutionalism's Rule over Markets
11. Constitutionalizing Goods: Guaranteeing Vital Goods, Protecting against Lethal Goods
12. The Possibility, Necessity and Urgency of a Constitution of the Earth: The True Utopia, The True Realism

Project Of A Constitution of the Earth: A Draft In One-Hundred Articles Proposed For Discussion
APPENDIX
Pacifism, Guarantism, Axiomatized Theory. Mapping the Crossroads, Pierluigi Chiassoni (Università di Genova, Italy)

Product details

Published 15 Oct 2026
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Pages 256
ISBN 9781509998227
Imprint Hart Publishing
Series Hart Studies in Constitutional Theory
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Luigi Ferrajoli

Luigi Ferrajoli is Professor Emeritus of Philosoph…

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