THE ENFORCERS OF JUDICIAL TERROR: FOUQUIER-TINVILLE, VYSHINSKY, FREISLER

Authors: Emmanuel Didier

ABSTRACT

A review of some of the main legal terrorists in modern Western history, using the law and legal proceedings to establish and maintain political control. Through the examples of Fouquier-Tinville, Vyshinsky, and Freisler, an analysis is carried out of how the formality of law may add weight to repression, and how excellent jurists may lose sight of purpose of the law, and of the underlying, fundamental sense of justice, when involved with power, thus becoming prey of their own inner ghosts, and/or of political power makingrecourse to them. Introspection, cultivation of humanity, and humility keep being essential virtues of jurists involved in the creation and enforcement of the law.

Keywords: Legal History - Judicial terror - Law, Politicsa, and justice

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