The «last man standing» theory and the definition of fundamental rights

Abstract

The traditional concept of «fundamental right» in Spanish legal scholarship and case-law encompasses all rights and freedoms set forth in Chapter II of Title I of the Spanish Constitution (CE) (arts. 14 to 38), due to their «binding» effect upon the lawmaker provided for in art. 53.1 CE. Instead, this article suggests a more restricted approach to the concept of «fundamental right». «Fundamental rights» are only those «trumps» (Dworkin) that a «last man standing» (Gärditz) can enforce against the lawmaker bringing about a judicial declaration of unconstitutionality of an act of parliament. Pursuant to the Spanish Constitution of 1978, only the rights singled out in art. 53.2 CE (i. e., arts. 14-29 and 30.2) grant this entitlement. This new concept calls for a necessary review of the traditional jurisprudence on the «essential content» of fundamental rights and the standing to sue, in order to avoid the government by judiciary.