The United States Constitution: One Document, Many Choices

by J. Vile

Overview

This book examines the U.S. Constitution by focusing on its origins in Western political thought and its organization and subsequent amendments. It describes the document as a series of choices among alternative governmental institutions that are designed to provide national security and secure ordered liberty.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781137513502
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan
Publication date:	05/19/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	203
File size:	365 KB

About the Author

John R. Vile is Professor of Political Science and Honors Dean at Middle Tennessee State University, USA. He is the author, editor, and contributor to numerous books on the United States Constitution, the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Constitutional amending process, Supreme Court decisions, and civil rights and liberties.

Table of Contents

1. Institutional Choices and the Preamble: The Constitution is a Real-world Document, Not a Utopian Blueprint 2. The Legislative Branch: It's a Congress, Not a Parliament 3. The Executive Branch: It's Headed by an Accountable Elected Official, Not a King or a Dictator 4. The Judicial Branch: It's a Group of Lawyers, Not a Bevy of Platonic Guardians 5. The Nation and the States: The Government is Federal, Not Confederal or Unitary 6. The Constitutional Amending Process: It's Difficult Because It Is Designed to Preserve the Constitution as Fundamental Law 7. The Bill of Rights and Freedom of Belief and Expression: They Provide for Liberty, Not License 8. The Bill of Rights, the Right to Security, and the Rights of the Accused and the Convicted: They Preserve the Rights of the Guilty in Order to Protect the Innocent 9. Equality and the Thirteenth through Fifteenth Amendments: It's an Equality of Opportunity, Not a Guarantee of Equal Results 10. Postscript: A Time for Reflection 11. Glossary 12. The Constitution of the United States and Its Amendments

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“This book is absolutely an indispensable read for anyone student, scholar, or general reader wanting to understand why our Founding Fathers created the Constitution the way they did and how it was supposed to work. Vile is one of the most insightful contemporary scholars on the American Constitution and this book is perhaps the best work so far he has written on this subject.” (David Schultz, Professor Political Science and Law, Hamline University, USA)

“The United States Constitution: One document, Many choices is informative and intellectually stimulating. The book provides valuable insights into the electoral college, presidential leadership, and related constitutional controversies. Those who appreciate constitutional law will find much to enjoy in the latest work by this prolific scholar.” (David Hudson, Nashville School of Law, Tennessee)

“This book belongs in the hands of everyone who wants to understand the Constitution as it should be understood: the result of choices among viable alternatives considered and debated by its Framers. Through a series of chapters posing questions about these alternatives and their relation to the finished document, the author has created a stimulating dialogue of inquiry about the Constitution that will fully engage readers while challenging their assumptions concerning its nature and significance.” (Donald Whitefield, Great Books Foundation, USA)

Editorial Reviews

Selected by Choice magazine as an "Outstanding Academic Title" for 2016

“The book is organized around each article of the Constitution, describing the powers of Congress, the president, and the judiciary, as well as how federalism was supposed to work and how amendments were to occur. … Excellent for collections on American law and politics. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels.” (D. Schultz, Choice, Vol. 53 (5), January, 2016)

From the Publisher