American Constitutional Law, Volume 1: Government Powers and Democracy is a unique casebook that encourages citizens and students of the Constitution to think critically about the fundamental principles and policies of the American constitutional order. In addition to its distinguished authorship, the book has two prominent features that set it apart from other books in the field: an emphasis on the social, political, and moral theory that provides meaning to constitutional law and interpretation, and a comparative perspective that situates the American experience within a world context that serves as in invaluable prism through which to illuminate the special features of our own constitutional order. While the focus of the book is entirely on American constitutional law, the book asks students to consider what, if anything, is unique in American constitutional life and what we share with other constitutional democracies. Each chapter is preceded by an introductory essay that highlights these major themes and also situates the cases in their proper historical and political contexts. This new edition offers updated and expanded treatment of a number of important and timely topics that have been addressed by the Supreme Court in recent years.



In addition to over twenty new important Supreme Court cases and updated comparative materials that reflect recent global trends and developments, this new edition welcomes two new and distinguished contributors, George Thomas, of Claremont McKenna, and Justin Dyer, of the University of Missouri. Building on the unique strengths of earlier editions, it also features updated and lively essays that situate the Court's work, and that of other constitutional institutions, in their larger normative, institutional, and comparative context.