Osterreichische Zeitschrift fur Politikwissenschaft
Volume 43, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 169-186

Deportation and the liberal-democratic paradox: Margins of discretion in decisions to expel rejected asylum seekers [Abschiebepolitik im spannungsfeld des liberal-demokratischen paradoxons: Ermessensspielräume in asylrechtlichen ausweisungsentscheidungen] (Article)

Welz J. , Winkler J.
  • a Forschungsgruppe INEX - Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion, Rathausstraße 19/Stiege 2/Tür 3, Wien, 1010, Austria
  • b Forschungsgruppe INEX - Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion, Rathausstraße 19/Stiege 2/Tür 3, Wien, 1010, Austria

Abstract

Deportations as well as the preceding expulsion procedures take place within the so called liberal-demo-cratic paradox, which refers to the tension between national interests and universal human rights. The article addresses this tension by empirically studying the weighing of public interests against the right to private and family life in 58 expulsion orders issued between 2011 and 2013. The study shows that, in the analyzed decisions, significant margins of discretion arise from these two undefined law concepts and that authorities tend to prioritize national interests over human rights. Finally, the article illustrates how the liberal-democratic paradox is being dissolved in praxis by the specific practices of bureaucrats and judges. © 2014, Austrian Political Science Association. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Deportation Liberal-democratic paradoxon Asylum procedures Expulsion Right to private and family life discretion

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84975257484&partnerID=40&md5=b95a6972bfbd05b51c1e95736af48f7e
ISSN: 16155548
Original Language: German