James Madison's Constitution - by Eric T Kasper & Howard Schweber (Paperback)

About the Book

"In James Madison's Constitution, Eric T. Kasper and Howard Schweber have assembled a roster of ten prominent contributors to excavate Madison's thinking about key concepts and issues over questions of what the Constitution requires, permits, and prohibits. Madison's key role at the Constitution's drafting was instrumental in forging the document into what it is today. In many areas, the modern Constitution still reflects Madison's conception and design. In other areas, however, the Constitution as it emerged in a final text-and as it has been amended and interpreted to the present day-does not always conform to Madison's vision. Nevertheless, examining Madison's thinking across a range of constitutional issues has much to offer for understanding our nation's primary governing document today. Indeed, there are great disagreements among jurists, policymakers, journalists, academics, and the general public about how to interpret the Constitution and what various clauses mean. Frequently, Madison is cited as a source on both sides of political, scholarly, and legal debates over the meaning of various constitutional provisions"--

Book Synopsis

In James Madison's Constitution, Eric T. Kasper and Howard Schweber have assembled a roster of ten prominent contributors to excavate Madison's thinking about key concepts and issues over questions of what the Constitution requires, permits, and prohibits. Madison's key role at the Constitution's drafting was instrumental in forging the document into what it is today.

In many areas, the modern Constitution still reflects Madison's conception and design. In other areas, however, the Constitution as it emerged in a final text--and as it has been amended and interpreted to the present day--does not always conform to Madison's vision. Nevertheless, examining Madison's thinking across a range of constitutional issues has much to offer for understanding our nation's primary governing document today. Indeed, there are great disagreements among jurists, policymakers, journalists, academics, and the general public about how to interpret the Constitution and what various clauses mean. Frequently, Madison is cited as a source on both sides of political, scholarly, and legal debates over the meaning of various constitutional provisions.

CONTRIBUTORS: Jeff Broadwater, Paul Finkelman, Zachary K. German, Alan R. Gibson, Jack N. Rakove, David J. Siemers, Quentin P. Taylor, George Thomas, Lynn Uzzell, and Michael P. Zuckert

Review Quotes

Regardless of one's political ideology or legal philosophy, all sides of constitutional debates benefit from a deeper understanding of the origins of the U.S. Constitution. To promote that understanding, the editors engage Madison experts on a range of topics to produce an inclusive, though not exhaustive, study of Madison's constitutional thought and its present relevance.--Tyson Reeder, Brigham Young University "Journal of Southern History"

This smart collection of essays by leading American constitutional scholars seeks to assess the significance of James Madison in US legal history. For legal scholars, Madison is often revered as the definitive author of the Constitution despite his disavowal of such status, and his words are often parsed by the Supreme Court in their opinions. The essays in this volume cover Madison's compromises or capitulations on slavery, his skepticism toward the 'parchment' protections of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and his fears of state power and the parochialism of localism. For those who believe that Madison's voice should be the definitive guide when thinking about how the American political system does or should operate, this book should give pause. Excellent for collections on US constitutional history and politics.--D. Schultz "CHOICE Connect"

James Madison's Constitution is chock-full of good scholarship that will help improve the constitutional literacy of its readers. Each of the essays offer interesting points about Madison's constitutional contributions.--Elizabeth Dale "author of Fight for Rights: The Chicago 1919 Riots and the Struggle for Black Justice"

A valuable collection of new essays on Madison with contributions by many leading scholars in the field. This volume will be an important resource for specialists and novices alike.--John Mikhail "author of Elements of Moral Cognition: Rawls' Linguistic Analogy and the Cognitive Science of Moral and Legal Judgment"

About the Author

Eric T. Kasper (Editor)
ERIC T. KASPER is professor of political science and director of the Menard Center for Constitutional Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he teaches classes on U.S. constitutional law, the freedom of speech, the judiciary, and political philosophy. Kasper has previously authored, coauthored, or coedited seven books, and he has authored or coauthored nineteen journal articles and book chapters.

Howard Schweber (Editor)
HOWARD SCHWEBER is professor emeritus of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where for more than twenty years he taught classes on the U.S. Constitution, comparative constitutionalism, American public law, and democratic and legal theory. Schweber has previously authored or coauthored six books and more than forty journal articles and book chapters and is the editor of the journal Constitutional Studies.