Peace, Order and Good Government

What is it about?

This book examines the origin and application of the peace order and good government (POGG) power which is part of most Commonwealth constitutions. It analyses the political and legal meanings of the power which has been The peace, order and good government (POGG) clause is found in the constitutions of almost all Commonwealth countries. Since its introduction, the POGG has played a significant role in colonial and post-colonial constitutionalism in Commonwealth jurisdictions. The book traces the history, politics and applications of the clause through the colonial period in Commonwealth territories to date. It provides critical evaluation of the POGG clause in a crosscontinental enquiry, examining statutory, political and constitutional use of the power in Australia, Canada, India, Nigeria, South Africa and the United Kingdom. The evaluation demonstrates that the POGG clause has relevance in a number of signifi cant aspects of legal and socio-political ordering across the Commonwealth featuring prominently in the federalism question, emergency powers and the review of administrative powers. It maintains that while the clause is not entirely devoid of positive value, it has been used not only to further the objects of colonialism, but also authoritarianism and apartheid. The book will be of interest to students and academics of public law, human rights law and comparative politics.

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