Why the Constitution Matters (Why X Matters Series)

Mark Tushnet

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300150369 ISBN 13: 9780300150360

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2010

Book by Tushnet Mark

Review:

"An outstanding introduction to the many ways that the Constitution shapes American politics, and politics shapes American constitutional law."--Jack M. Balkin, Knight Professor of Constitutional Law and the First Amendment, Yale Law School--Jack M. Balkin "Mark Tushnet has issued another bold challenge to constitutional orthodoxy in the United States. His incisive examination of how the Constitution of the United States does more to structure politics than dictate specific outcomes will fascinate lawyers, political scientists and citizens."--Mark Grabar, Professor of Law and Government, University of Maryland--Mark Grabar "Mark Tushnet has squared the circle by writing a book that is both accessible and highly sophisticated. It offers an engaging precis of Tushnet's own thought, and also of a large body of recent work at the intersection of legal theory and political science. Yet it refuses to oversimplify and itself makes fresh theoretical contributions. An admirable achievement that should improve public discourse about the role of the Constitution."--Adrian Vermeule, Harvard Law School--Adrian Vermeule An outstanding introduction to the many ways that the Constitution shapes American politics, and politics shapes American constitutional law. Jack M. Balkin, Knight Professor of Constitutional Law and the First Amendment, Yale Law School--Jack M. Balkin" "Mark Tushnet is the leading constitutional scholar of his generation. In this book, he addresses constitutional law s central questions: How and why does the Constitution matter? His answers both persuasive and deeply disturbing will surprise virtually all of his readers." Louis Michael Seidman, Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Constitutional Law, Georgetown University Law Center--Louis Michael Seidman" Mark Tushnet has squared the circle by writing a book that is both accessible and highly sophisticated. It offers an engaging precis of Tushnet's own thought, and also of a large body of recent work at the intersection of legal theory and political science. Yet it refuses to oversimplify and itself makes fresh theoretical contributions. An admirable achievement that should improve public discourse about the role of the Constitution. Adrian Vermeule, Harvard Law School--Adrian Vermeule" Mark Tushnet has issued another bold challenge to constitutional orthodoxy in the United States. His incisive examination of how the Constitution of the United States does more to structure politics than dictate specific outcomes will fascinate lawyers, political scientists and citizens. Mark Grabar, Professor of Law and Government, University of Maryland--Mark Grabar" "The book is an enjoyable read, written in conversational style and filled with interesting snippets of legal history, constitutional history, and political science. . . By publishing a concise and accessible book on this subject, he may succeed in communicating with those outside the small tribe of law professors and political scientists who have been having this conversation among themselves." Amanda Frost, "The Green Bag"--Amanda Frost "The Green Bag "" "The book is a very interesting read and would be an excellent supplement in an undergraduate constitutional law class." T. M./i>--T. M. Jackson "CHOICE "" Mark Tushnet has written a profoundly important and illuminating book in a wonderfully conversational style. Its emphasis on the importance of structures--and, especially, political parties is an important corrective to thecommon reduction of the Constitution to a system of fundamental rights. It deserves to be read by scholars, students, and citizens alike who wish to learn what difference it might truly make that we conduct our politics under theaegis of the Constitution. Sanford Levinson, author of "Our Undemocratic Constitution: Where the Constitution Goes Wrong (and How We the People Can Correct It)" --Sanford Levinson" "Mark Tushnet has written a profoundly important and illuminating book in a wonderfully conversational style. Its emphasis on the importance of structures--and, especially, political parties--is an important corrective to the common reduction of the Constitution to a system of 'fundamental rights.' It deserves to be read by scholars, students, and citizens alike who wish to learn what difference it might truly make that we conduct our politics under the aegis of the Constitution."--Sanford Levinson, author of "Our Undemocratic Constitution: Where the Constitution Goes Wrong (and How We the People Can Correct It)" --Sanford Levinson

About the Author:

Mark Tushnet is William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Harvard University. A graduate of Yale Law School, he served as law clerk to Justice Thurgood Marshall and now specializes in constitutional law and theory, including comparative constitutional law.