Constitutional Theory: Arguments and Perspectives

by Gerhardt, Michael J.; Rowe, Thomas D., Jr.; Brown, Rebecca L.; Spann, Girardeau A.

• ISBN13: 9780820546049
• ISBN10: 0820546046
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-04-01
• Publisher: Lexis Nexis Matthew Bender

Table of Contents

Preface	v
Acknowledgments	vii
Part I Why Theory?
A Brief Historical Overview of the Development of American Constitutional Theory	1	(22)
Introduction	1	(1)
The Relationship Between Theory and Constitutional Structure	2	(1)
Theory and the Countermajoritarian Difficulty in Early American History	3	(2)
Theory in the Twentieth Century	5	(7)
The Relevance of Theory to Recent Events	12	(7)
Bibliography	19	(4)
The Judicial Function and the Idea of Principled Decisionmaking	23	(42)
Introduction	23	(5)
Principled Decisionmaking	28	(8)
``Pedigree Versus Policy'' or Legitimism Versus Consequentialism as a Recurring Division in Constitutional Theory?	36	(8)
The Problem of Judicial Candor	44	(7)
Judicial Minimalism	51	(11)
Conclusion	62	(1)
Bibliography	62	(3)
Part II Sources
The Role of Constitutional Text	65	(34)
Introduction	65	(1)
What is Textualism?	66	(7)
Some Critiques of Textualism	73	(20)
A Case in Point	93	(2)
Conclusion	95	(1)
Bibliography	96	(3)
Constitutional History and the ``Original Intention'' Controversy	99	(38)
Introduction and Overview	99	(18)
The Appropriate Levels of Generality	117	(2)
Originalism Debates in the 1990s	119	(12)
Nothing New Under the Sun? A Voice from the Past	131	(2)
Conclusion	133	(1)
Bibliography	133	(4)
Structural Reasoning	137	(44)
Introduction	137	(18)
Majoritarianism	155	(12)
Representation-Reinforcement	167	(11)
Conclusion	178	(1)
Bibliography	178	(3)
Moral Reasoning	181	(30)
Introduction	181	(1)
The Use of Moral Philosophy to Discover the Right Answers to Constitutional Questions	182	(17)
The Critique of Moral Reasoning	199	(11)
Conclusion	210	(1)
Bibliography	210	(1)
Precedent in Constitutional Adjudication	211	(34)
Introduction	211	(2)
Case Illustrations	213	(13)
Constitutional Theory and the Problem of Nonconforming Precedent	226	(5)
Philosophical Commentary on Judges' Competing Obligations to Constitutional Doctrine and to the Constitution	231	(9)
Conclusion	240	(1)
Bibliography	241	(4)
Part III Perspectives
Liberal Constitutional Theory	245	(38)
Introduction	245	(6)
Liberal Theory's Turn to History	251	(11)
The Turn to History to Support Judicial Activism	251	(2)
Liberal Theories of Popular Sovereignty and Constitutional Change	253	(4)
The Liberal Turn to History in the Clinton Impeachment Proceedings	257	(5)
Beyond Liberalism	262	(13)
Conclusion	275	(4)
Bibliography	279	(4)
Conservative Constitutional Theory	283	(46)
Introduction	283	(2)
The Many Faces of Judicial Restraint on the Rehnquist Court	285	(10)
Rule- and Tradition-Based Decisionmaking	295	(4)
Economic Analysis and Rights	299	(17)
Economic Analysis of the Constitution	299	(6)
Economic and Libertarian Activism	305	(11)
The Relationship Between ``Natural Law'' and Conservatism	316	(6)
Conclusion: The Transparency of Constitutional Argumentation?	322	(3)
Bibliography	325	(4)
Feminist Legal Theory	329	(46)
Introduction and Overview	329	(7)
Liberal Feminism	336	(8)
Cultural Feminism	344	(10)
Radical Feminism	354	(5)
Postmodern Feminism	359	(9)
Conclusion	368	(3)
Bibliography	371	(4)
Critical Race Theory	375	(48)
Introduction and Overview	375	(4)
Critique of Liberalism	379	(8)
Social Construction	387	(8)
Narrative	395	(10)
Identity Politics	405	(8)
Conclusion	413	(4)
Bibliography	417	(6)
Interpretation Theory and Postmodernism	423	(38)
Introduction	423	(1)
Controversies over Interpretation Theory	424	(26)
Postmodernism and Constitutional Theory	450	(8)
Conclusion	458	(1)
Bibliography	458	(3)
Part IV Conclusion
Theory and Its Discontents	461
Introduction	461	(1)
Constitutional Politics, Moments, and Interpretation	462	(8)
Reading the Constitution as Written	470	(10)
Conclusion: The Relationship between Theory and Practice	480	(8)
Bibliography	488
Constitution of the United States	1	(1)
Table of Readings	1	(1)
Table of Cases	1	(1)
Index	1