Contribution to the civic culture of democratic institutionality
The work, coordinated by Andrés Betancor RodríguezProfessor of Administrative Law at Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, brings together the reflections of academics and professionals, brought together under the auspices of the Rafael del Pino Foundation, on the institutions of the democratic rule of law.
Institutions are important. They are the pillars on which coexistence is organised in a democratic society that respects the law and fundamental rights. Their protection and improvement is important to maintain a quality democracy. At present, the threats to them cast a shadow over the democratic rule of law. It is essential to reflect on what they are and the functions they perform in order to contribute to the civic culture that ultimately underpins our democratic institutions. Because institutions can only perform their important function if all citizens are convinced that they are necessary and believe in their capacity, as well as in their desirability, to constitute the pillars on which our coexistence is organised according to the parameters of democracy.
It is a book of reflection, but following an almost Socratic method: that of conversation. In order to facilitate this, the texts are subject to certain restrictions in terms of length, in order to focus on the essential. And each paper, the fruit of the conversation, is accompanied by the written contributions considered appropriate. They all revolve around three essential issues of the institutions: importance, threats and reforms. The papers and contributions are now brought together in this book. They are the fruit of the authors' commitment to contribute to the civic culture of democratic institutionality. If citizens do not care about institutions, the democratic rule of law will fall, and when it does, it will probably be too late. If we care about freedom, if we care about "our" freedom, we must protect the institutions that make it possible. Otherwise, the edifice of our coexistence in freedom, equality and justice is being undermined.