Shaping Constitutional Values: Elected Government, the Supreme Court and the Abortion Debate (Interpreting American Politics) - Hardcover

Devins

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0801852846 ISBN 13: 9780801852848

Publisher: John Hopkins University Press, 1996

Synopsis

This work shows how the Supreme Court, elected government, and private citzens together shape what the Constitution means. Central to this study is the question of how the Court and elected government influence each other. In addition to the abortion debate, conflicts over federalism, race religion and separartion of powers are examined. The author contends that these constitutional disputes can be as constructive as they are inevitable. The long fight over abortion, for example has resulted in a highly workable - if imperfect - compromise, with elected government becoming more pro-choice and the Court becoming more pro-life. The Constitution is made more vital by such ongoing interchanges among the Court, elected government and the people. Without an ongoing dynamic that allows each side to win some of the time, Devin's concludes, the Constitution would be less enduring.

About this title

About the Author

Neal Devins is professor of law and lecturer in government at the College of William and Mary. His books include 'Public Values, Federal Abortion Politics', 'Private Schools', and 'Political Dynamics of Constitutional Law

Edition details

• Publisher: John Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0801852846
• ISBN 13: 9780801852848
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224