John Vile

Rewriting the United States Constitution

An Examination of Proposals from Reconstruction to the Present

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Since the Reconstruction period, there have been over forty proposals to rewrite the U.S. Constitution. John Vile's unique historical study analyzes all of these proposals within the framework of the constitutional amending process. In each case Vile examines the substance of the proposal, its goals and methods, the response to the proposal, and its overall influence--concluding that the Constitution in its current form faces no immediate threats. He finds no convincing cases for a new Constitution and believes that most perceived defects can be remedied with less drastic measures. The study illuminates issues of constitutional change, stressing the importance of understanding alternative forms of government and the basis for their support. While immediate change is not likely, constitutional change will ultimately come, and when it does, earlier criticisms and suggestions may help to set the agenda. Proposals for change are critiques which help to identify strengths and weaknesses in the current system. In addition, examinations of past proposals reveal how people view the Constitution during crises. This work will be particularly useful for political scientists, historians, lawyers, and individuals interested in, or involved with, efforts for constitutional change.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bloomsbury 3PL
• Seitenzahl: 216
• Erscheinungstermin: 30. Mai 1991
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 240mm x 161mm x 16mm
• Gewicht: 495g
• ISBN-13: 9780275938420
• ISBN-10: 0275938425
• Artikelnr.: 25569083

Autorenporträt

JOHN R. VILE is Professor and Chairman of the Political Science Department at Middle Tennessee State University, where he specializes in U.S. constitutional law. He has written about the amending process for more than ten years.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface Effecting Constitutional Change in the United States From
Reconstruction to the Turn of the Century Proposals Occasioned by
Progressivism and War Proposals from the Great Depression and the
Sesquicentennial of the Constitution Proposals from World War II Proposals
from the Turbulent 1960s and early 1970s Reassessing the Constitution and
the Presidency after Watergate Proposals from the Bicentennials and Their
Critiques More Proposals from the Bicentennial to the Present Analysis and
Conclusions Appendix Bibliography Index