Our State Constitutions (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

James Quayle Dealey

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1331462649 ISBN 13: 9781331462644

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

This book comprehensively analyzes the evolution of state constitutions in the United States, delving into their historical development from the time of the American Revolution to the present day. The author traces the transformation of these constitutions from brief frameworks to complex legal documents, reflecting the increasing complexity of modern life and the growing demand for popular representation. The book sheds light on the role of constitutional conventions as the primary means of formulating fundamental law, highlighting their importance in safeguarding democratic principles and limiting the power of legislatures. By examining amendments, revisions, and bills of rights, the author provides valuable insights into how state constitutions have adapted to changing social and political conditions. This book serves as an essential resource for scholars, legal professionals, and anyone interested in the intricate relationship between state and federal power in the United States, offering a deeper understanding of the historical and legal foundations of American democracy.

About this title

Product Description

Excerpt from Our State Constitutions Throughout classical and medieval philosophizing runs a theory of a paramount or fundamental law, permanent in kind, because fixed in nature. This theory in its modem form, after voicing itself for a time in the Cromwellian period, came to the front in the American Revolution, and found its proper expression in the written constitution. In our federal system, owing to the rigidity of the national constitution, the development of that document must be traced in the varying decisions of the supreme court of the United States. In the commonwealths a more flexible system of amendment prevails, and for that reason changes in what the states consider to be their fundamental law, may be traced more easily in the constitutions themselves, subject as they are to frequent revision and amendment. In the revolutionary period these constitutions were few in number, small in size, and contained a mere framework of governmental organization. Since that time some two hundred state constitutions have been made or revised. The forty-five now in force average in length over fifteen thousand words, the longest, that of Louisiana, having about forty-five thousand. In place of fundamentals only, they are filled with details, so petty in many instances, as hardly worthy even to be dignified as statutory. This tendency to enlargement is not without justification. The proper solution of problems arising from the complexity of modem interests, demands more wisdom and knowledge than is usually found in legislatures, which are often incompetent and sometimes venal. The democratic demand for legislation through convention, is really a demand for legislators of a high grade. To legislatures in consequence are left the mere details of legislation with a minimum of discretion in the formulation of statutes. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproducti

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1331462649
• ISBN 13: 9781331462644
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 104