Democracy's privileged few : legislative privilege and democratic norms in the British and American constitutions / Josh Chafetz.

New Haven, CT : Yale University Press, 2007.

26487

United States. -- Congress -- Privileges and immunities.

Great Britain. -- Parliament -- Privileges and immunities.

Constitutional law -- United States.

Constitutional law -- Great Britain.

1. Lex Parliamenti vs. Lex Terrae

2. Political questions and nonjusticiability

3. Free speech in Parliament

4. Free speech in Congress

5. Freedom from civil arrest and legal process for Members of Parliament

6. Freedom from civil arrest for Members of Congress

7. Disputed parliamentary elections

8. Disputed congressional elections

9. Breach of privilege and contempt of Parliament

10. Punishment by Congress.

This book is the first to compare the freedoms and protections of members of the United States Congress with those of Britain's Parliament. Placing legislative privilege in historical context, Josh Chafetz explores how and why legislators in Britain and America have been granted special privileges in five areas: jurisdictional conflicts between the courts and the legislative houses, freedom of speech, freedom from civil arrest, contested elections, and the disciplinary powers of the houses.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

9780300113259

x, 307 p.