Our Undemocratic Constitution

Where the Constitution Goes Wrong (And How We the People Can Correct It)

Häftad, Engelska, 2008

379 kr

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Levinson argues that too many of our Constitution's provisions promote either unjust or ineffective government. Under the existing blueprint, we can neither rid ourselves of incompetent presidents nor assure continuity of government following catastrophic attacks. Less important, perhaps, but certainly problematic, is the appointment of Supreme Court judges for life. Adding insult to injury, the United States Constitution is the most difficult to amend or update of any constitution currently existing in the world today. Democratic debate leaves few stones unturned, but we tend to take our basic constitutional structures for granted. Levinson boldly challenges the American people to undertake a long overdue public discussion on how they might best reform this most hallowed document and construct a constitution adequate to our democratic values. "Admirably gutsy and unfashionable."--Michael Kinsley, The New York Times "Bold, bracingly unromantic, and filled with illuminating insights. He accomplishes an unlikely feat, which is to make a really serious argument for a new constitutional convention, one that is founded squarely on democratic ideals."--Cass R. Sunstein, The New Republic "Everyone who cares about how our government works should read this thoughtful book."--Washington Lawyer

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2008-03-20
Mått157 x 234 x 18 mm
Vikt349 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor272
FörlagOUP USA
ISBN9780195365573

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Prelude: The Wisdom of Thomas Jefferson ; Introduction: A Tale of Two Signings ; 1. The Ratification Referendum: Sending the Constitution to a New Convention for Repair ; 2. Our Undemocratic Legislative Process ; 3. The Legacy of Article II: Too-Powerful Presidents, Chosen in an Indefensible Process, Who Cannot Be Displaced Even When They Are Manifestly Incompetent ; 4. Life Tenure for Supreme Court Justices: An Idea Whose Time Has Passed ; 5. The Constitution as Creator of Second-Class Citizens ; 6. The Impermeable Article V ; 7. Disenchantment and Desire: What Is to Be Done? ; Coda: The Wisdom of Woodrow Wilson ; Appendix: The Constitution of the United States ; Notes ; Acknowledgments ; Index

Levinson believes that the Constitution is fundamentally undemocratic, and that a new constitutional convention is necessary to bring forward a better charter. His critical discussion of the founding document is bold, bracingly unromantic, and filled with illuminating insights. He accomplishes an unlikely feat, which is to make a really serious argument for a new constitutional convention, one that is founded squarely on democratic ideals. Levinson has valuably shown that parts of America's founding document are seriously flawed, and he has demonstrated that both representatives and citizens should treat the document not with "sanctimonious reverence" but as the revisable product of fallible human beings.