1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910459768303321

Autore

Michelman Frank I. <1936->

Titolo

Brennan and democracy [[electronic resource] /] / Frank I. Michelman

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Princeton, N.J., : Princeton University Press, c1999

ISBN

1-4008-1269-0

1-282-75392-4

9786612753923

1-4008-2336-6

Edizione

[Course Book]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (161 p.)

Disciplina

342.73

Soggetti

Constitutional law - United States

Electronic books.

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface and Acknowledgments -- Chapter 1. Brennan's Constitutional Democracy -- Chapter 2. Brennan's Democratic Liberalism -- Epilogue -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

In Brennan and Democracy, a leading thinker in U.S. constitutional law offers some powerful reflections on the idea of "constitutional democracy," a concept in which many have seen the makings of paradox. Here Frank Michelman explores the apparently conflicting commitments of a democratic governmental system where key aspects of such important social issues as affirmative action, campaign finance reform, and abortion rights are settled not by a legislative vote but by the decisions of unelected judges. Can we--or should we--embrace the values of democracy together with constitutionalism, judicial supervision, and the rule of law? To answer this question, Michelman calls into service the judicial career of Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, the country's model "activist" judge for the past forty years. Michelman draws on Brennan's record and writings to suggest how the Justice himself might have understood the judiciary's role in the simultaneous promotion of both democratic and constitutional government. The first chapter prompts us to reflect on how tough and delicate an act it is for the members of a society to attempt living



together as a people devoted to self-government. The second chapter seeks to renew our appreciation for democratic liberal political ideals, and includes an extensive treatment of Brennan's judicial opinions, which places them in relation to opposing communitarian and libertarian positions. Michelman also draws on the views of two other prominent constitutional theorists, Robert Post and Ronald Dworkin, to build a provocative discussion of whether democracy is best conceived as a "procedural" or a "substantive" ideal.