This book explores concrete situations in which judges are faced with a legislature and an executive that consciously and systematically discard the ideals of the rule of law. It revolves around three basic questions: What happen when states become oppressive and the judiciary contributes to the oppression? How can we, from a legal point of view, evaluate the actions of judges who contribute to oppression? And, thirdly, how can we understand their participation from a moral point of view and support their inclination to resist?
"Concerned with the role and behaviour of judges in developed "western" states during tyranny and authoritarian rule, including certain instances of occupation. ... the book deserves a wider audience. In particular it should be of interest to lawmakers, judges and others concerned with preventing new instances of oppression, and everybody else interested in the role of judges in times of existential threats to society." (Terje Einarsen, Nordic Journal of Human Rights, Vol. 34 (3), 2016)