Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Constitutional law    3. Law    4. Legal History    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Political questions and judici    7. Political questions and judicial power    8. Constitution: government & the state    9. Law / Legal History    10. Political science & theory   

Subjects:  1. 17th century    2. Constitutional history    3. Europe - Great Britain - General    4. Great Britain    5. History    6. History & Theory - General    7. History - General History    8. Political Science    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Constitution: government & the state    11. English law: constitutional & administrative    12. Historiography    13. Political Science / History & Theory   

Editorial Review

When Lorenzo de' Medici seized control of the Florentine Republic in 1512, he summarily fired the Secretary to the Second Chancery of the Signoria and set in motion a fundamental change in the way we think about politics. The person who held the aforementioned office with the tongue-twisting title was none other than Niccolò Machiavelli, who, suddenly finding himself out of a job after 14 years of patriotic service, followed the career trajectory of many modern politicians into punditry. Unable to become an on-air political analyst for a television network, he only wrote a book. But what a book Read more

Subjects:  1. Early works to 1800    2. General    3. Philosophy    4. Political    5. Political Theory    6. Political ethics    7. Political science    8. Constitution: government & the state    9. Italy    10. Other prose: 16th to 18th centuries    11. Political Science / General    12. Political science & theory   

Reviews (15)

A Good Briefing on Vidal's Views
I have read several great books by Vidal over the past few months. This book is more or less a summary of several others that he has written. If you are new to Vidal, this is a great place to start. I have read collections of his essays, The Last Empire was great. It gets into more detail on many of the topics covered in this book.

Illogic
Pouty,
Astute and Relevant.
This collection of six essays and speeches by America's most astute and acerbic critic, though somewhat dated, (written from 1987-92) still manages to pack a powerful and relevant punch directly at what Vidal perceives to be the reasons for America's political, cultural and economic continuing downward spiral. He states in the Preface that his intention is to "...put into historical perspective the state of our nation and what can be done to salvage it." (p.5) Read more

Subjects:  1. 1925-    2. 1945-1989    3. 1989-1993    4. General    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. History & Theory - General    7. Political Science    8. Political and social views    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics and government    11. Politics/International Relations    12. U.S. - Contemporary Politics    13. United States    14. Vidal, Gore - Prose & Criticism    15. Vidal, Gore,    16. Constitution: government & the state    17. History / United States / 20th Century    18. USA    19. Vidal, Gore   

Subjects:  1. Government - U.S. Government    2. Political Process - Leadership    3. Political Science    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Politics/International Relations    6. Constitution: government & the state    7. District of Columbia (Washington, DC)   

Editorial Review

In the second volume of a projected trilogy that seeks to provide the history of constitutional law in the U.S., Yale law professor Bruce Ackerman turns his attention to two periods: the post-Civil War era and the New Deal. Ackerman's historical research is prodigious, and Read more

Reviews (3)

Strong historical support for Foundations.
In his second volume, Ackerman presents his historical evidence defending the concept of a dualist Constitution. In brief, the theory of dualism holds that we have a two-track law-making system: while victors of normal elections are given normal political power, the authority to effect fundamental constitutional change requires a sustained, massive degree of popular support. These periods of fundamental change are brought about through unconventional ratification outside of the accept means of constitutional revision, i.e. Article V. This process is complicated and he identifies five different steps: signaling, proposal, triggering, ratifying, and consolidation.
Attractive, appealing, well researched theories.
Bruce Ackerman eloquently uses the "higher lawmaking" theory just as Adam Smith used his invisible hand. Instead of guiding the American economic system and gross national product, Ackerman's higher lawmaking theory provides that the American ratification of the Constitution of the United States is led by things other than the system of ratification provided for us in Article V of the Constitution. Dry, engrossing Constitutionality
Continuing from Foundations, Ackerman has proven deep ties to traditional majoritarianism.However, I find his spin fascinating, albeit not the juiciest read I've come across recently.His take on our democratichistory is refreshing, and I recommend it to those who crave exposure tonew vantage points of American tradition. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Constitutions    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. History    5. History: American    6. Politics / Current Events    7. United States - General    8. American history    9. Constitution: government & the state    10. Constitutional & administrative law    11. History / United States / General    12. USA   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Civics & Citizenship    4. Government - Comparative    5. Human territoriality    6. Political anthropology    7. Political violence    8. Postcolonialism    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Sovereignty    12. Anthropology    13. Armed conflict    14. Civil rights & citizenship    15. Constitution: government & the state    16. International relations    17. Political Science and International Relations    18. Postcolonial Studies    19. Social & cultural anthropology    20. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Subjects:  1. Civil Procedure    2. Constitutional    3. Constitutional history    4. General    5. History    6. History: World    7. Legal History    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Sources    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. Constitution: government & the state    13. Constitutional & administrative law    14. USA   

Subjects:  1. Bureaucracy    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. General    4. History    5. History: World    6. Public Affairs & Administration    7. Public administration    8. Rationalism    9. United States    10. Political Science / Public Affairs & Administration   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Ethnic relations    3. Minorities    4. Minority Studies - Race Relations    5. Minority women    6. Nationalism    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Race relations    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - General    12. Colonization & independence    13. Constitution: government & the state    14. Cultural studies    15. Ethnography    16. Gender studies   

Reviews (10)

Should Judicial Review by Limited?
This is a very fine work of scholarship.The research is staggering in its comprehensiveness, and it is a definite contribution to the literature on the federal courts at a time when there is much attention being devoted to judicial power.The basic thesis of the book is that throughout American constitutional history, what the author terms "popular constitutionalism" has played a "pivotal role" in interpreting the Constitution. The author believes that "judicial supremacy" has caused a disfunction in the political system and needs to be offset by more attention to the expressions of popular direction in making interpretations. In order to argue his thesis, the author has produced a very valuable history of judicial review.
Simultaneously Over and Under Inclusive
After finishing Kramer's book, one doesn't know quite what to make of it.After all, as history, the book is about one hundred pages too long and studded with irrelevant normative snipes.But as a prescriptive policy argument, the book is needlessly morassed in early history and rests its points on a case that was never built.
This book has very troubling implications
Kramer seems to think that we have strayed from the path of letting the People decide constitutional issues. There are significant reasons why Madison and others thought that would be a problem. Freedom of speech, for example, is something that the majority of voters or their representatives in congress would do away with in an instant if it weren't for the Supreme Court. Freedom of speech is fine until some group like the communists or the nazi party tries to exercise it, then legislators try to make laws saying they can't. In our constitution it is imperative to have a less political branch deciding these issues. Yes, the Supremes make unpopular decisions sometimes, but that is their job. Allowing the boneheads in congress to decide important constitutional issues would be folly. They would play to the lowest common denominator and have us giving away our rights in the name of God or security or morality. The Constitution has a way for the people to check the Supreme Court. We can impeach them or amend the constitution. Kramer's book looks back on the golden age in 1800 when we voted out a political party because of the unconstitutional laws they passed. Does he deny the havoc some poorly thought out laws could wreak in 21st century America? We don't have time to allow people to take away American's rights with the idea we might get them back in the next election. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Constituent power    2. Constitutional    3. General    4. Government - Judicial Branch    5. History    6. History: World    7. Judicial review    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. People (Constitutional law)    10. Political Ideologies - Democracy    11. United States    12. Constitution: government & the state    13. Constitutional & administrative law    14. Law / Constitutional    15. Law | Constitutional Law    16. USA   

Reviews (2)

Illuminating and solid
This book contains a great historical analysis of the building up of nation-states, from the dissolution of the Western Roman Empire unitl the French Revolution. Ertman classifies the upcoming states into four different types of regime and origins: patrimonialist absolutism (Spain, France, Portugal and the Italian states); bureaucratic absolutism (Denmark and the German states); patrimonialist constitutionalism (Hungary and Poland); and bureaucratic constitutionalism (Sweden and Great Britain). Theascendancyof "bureaucraticconstitutionalism"
In the begging of the period known as "Early Modern Europe" the new sovereign states of the continent found themselfes competing for supremacy.In the years before the French revolution, the British Kingdom will prove to be the most effective of all.The author takes as back in the Middle Ages to explain why different types of regimes were developed in Europe and who are the three factors that influenced their development. The book is a very interesting one,the author's bibliography is quite impressive,but its special subject makes it very difficult for someone that is not accustomed to European history to follow the basic assumptions.In each step,it is essential to know the real facts in order to understand what is going on.One small deficiency is that the case of the Netherlans is never mentioned,not even in the very good introduction where all European states are seperated into four groups after they are analyzed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comparative government    2. Constitutional history    3. Europe    4. Europe - General    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Local government    9. Political Process - General    10. Politics and government    11. Constitution: government & the state    12. Europe--Politics and government    13. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    14. History / Europe / General   

Subjects:  1. Constitutions    2. General    3. Nature    4. Social choice    5. Sociology - General    6. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    7. Science / General   

Reviews (5)

Revised indeed.Whose Constitution is this?
Buy it only if the price is 50% off. That's because the first half of the work is a poorly written interpretation of our nation's most sacred document.Thankfully, the actual Constitution is provided in the second half.In the first 60 pages, the left-leaning declarations are so bizarre, it is hard to consider this book a serious work.
A simple but great intro tour through the Constutution.
This is a nuts and bolts introductory book on the Consitution. It definately dosn't analyze anything to any degree whatsoever, but if your looking for that there are plenty of other books to consider. This is one to start with.
Read it often
About a year ago, I saw a movie called The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. The movie is about President Chavez in Venezuela and the failed coup attempt on his presidency. In the background coverage of his presidency, the filmmakers recounted how as President, he encouraged his citizens to read their brand new constitution and learn it. They interviewed some Venezuelans who did not know to read, but had learned to read by reading their constitution.
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Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Constitutional law    3. Constitutions    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. History - General History    6. United States    7. United States - Colonial Period    8. Constitution: government & the state    9. Political Science / Constitutions    10. USA   

Editorial Review

James C. Scott's research for this book began with an examination of thetensions between state authorities and various "unstable" individualsthroughout history, from hunter-gatherer tribes to Gypsies to the homeless. He soonbecame fascinated, however, by the recurring patterns of failure and authoritarianism incertain social engineering programs aimed at bringing such people fully into the state'sfold. Soviet collectivization, the Maoist Great Leap Forward, the precisely planned cityof Brasilia--these and other projects around the world, while deeply ambitious, extractedimmeasurable tolls on the people they were designed to help. Read more

Reviews (16)

Got the gist, gets lost in the details
Scott's book gets off to a very good start, arguing that the roots of "high modernism" run deep in a particular world view that grew with scientific culture, but lacks its elements of ruthless self-criticism. What impressed me was his grasp of this ideology as a culture, albeit a culture of a few. Science too is a culture, and this phenomenon is the mentality of the technicians, the engineers, the planners...once they gain power. As one who works in this milieu, although not with the power elite, it rang very true.
the negative nature of government
James Scott argues that the formal rules of social-engineering design inevitably leave out elements essential to their actual function. He expounds cases both in America and abroad, current and historic, that reinforce this theme. Whether planning ecosystems, cities or societies, authoritative, Scott not only hypothesizes but demonstrates that centralized plans which fail to account for local idiosyncracies will themselves fail.
good
While most theory books have a hard time captivating me, this one is very well done. Scott focuses on why some of the utopian centrally-planned societies failed and why organic "home-spun" communities and societies generally are more adapt to deal with harsh times. Echoing Kroptkin's writing nearly a century later (though without all the romance) Scott states that local mutual aid works more systematically than systematic over-arching state plans. He goes through several historical examples, such as Soviet collectivization, the building of Brasilia as the new "modern" capital of Brazil away from the coastal "cultural" capital of Rio de Janeiro, Tanzania's "villagization", the designs of the modernist city planning versus unplanned cities, all the way to such things we today take for granted such as linguistics, measurement, and censuses which he argues all started as ways of social control by the bourgeois State.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Development - Economic Development    3. Political Science    4. Politics/International Relations    5. Public Policy - Regional Planning    6. Sociology    7. Sociology - Social Theory    8. Central government policies    9. Constitution: government & the state    10. Political Science / General    11. Social welfare & social services   

Reviews (3)

Captures even the smell of "the burnt cakes"
Alfred, being the only English monarch styled "the Great", is a notoriously difficult subject to write history about.The Victorian cult of Alfred made him a marked man for the debunkers of the Dead White European Male focus of history.Attempts at an even-handed review of the Wessex king's life are fraught with peril. Worth a read
I enjoyed this book and, unlike some others, was engrossed by the military expeditions of Alfred the Great. The author gives enough information that one can well imagine how incredible it was indeed to fight off the Vikings. Further, the defensive works and the creation of the burghs led to modern economic England, and this point is brought out quite well.

An informative and easily accessible read
I bought this book on the recommendation of a professor of mine when embarking upon my senior thesis this spring, and though Abel's book did not end up playing a large part in my paper, I went back to this book after theterm was over.This book was an easy, quick, and absorbing read, whileinformative, cohesive, and clear in its aims and the points it was tryingto express.My only criticism might be a minor one -- As an English major,I am more interested in the ideological, cultural, or literary influence orviews of an individual.Naturally, as a history professor, Abels interestswere not the same as mine.He devotes a lot of the book to details ofAlfred's battles with the Vikings, and at times, this failed to hold myattention.This criticism, as a result, is only the result of a personalpreference. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 849-899    2. Alfred,    3. Anglo-Saxons    4. Biography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. England    7. Government - Comparative    8. Great Britain    9. Historical - British    10. History - General History    11. King of England,    12. Kings and rulers    13. Medieval    14. Political Science    15. Royalty    16. Wessex    17. Biography: historical    18. British & Irish history: c 500 to c 1000    19. Constitution: government & the state    20. History / General    21. c 500 CE to c 1000 CE    22. Military History   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (2)

Good Overview of European State Formation
Charles Tilly is obviously taking on a big topic.In this book, he covers 1000 years of state formation in Europe.His primary interest is to determine why states have converged from divergent state forms (city states, federations, and empires) to a single form (the national state).What I enjoyed about this book is that, unlike so many theories of international politics, it does not take the modern state system for granted but shows that it is the product of a complex historical process.Central to the process is the imperative of the state of extend its influence and to protect itself from rival states. Tilly shows that the growth in the capital intensity and complexity of warfare has led over time to a strengthen of the state and an expansion of its role.This is a plausible theory which has much to commend it.I would have liked to have seen two more issues addressed in the book ... A difficult but highly rewarding read
In these days of historical specialization, a comprehensive treatment of any subject is most welcome, whatever its faults.Tilly has indeed set himself a daunting task, namely to explain the development of state formation in Europe over the last millennium; specifically, he seeks to explain why a pattern of divergent state formations ultimately converged in the form of the modern nation-state.To the chagrin of social scientists, he assumes that war has always been the central object of the state; economic/political determinism is complementary but subordinate.Given that the nation-state has enjoyed the greatest military success throughout the centuries, all states have been forced either to move in that direction or cease to exist.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Capitalism    4. Economic Conditions    5. Europe    6. Europe - General    7. History    8. History - General History    9. History: World    10. Politics and government    11. Business & Economics / Economic Conditions    12. Constitution: government & the state    13. EUROPE_ECONOMIC CONDITIONS    14. EUROPE_HISTORY    15. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    16. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    17. c 1000 CE to c 1500    18. c 500 CE to c 1000 CE   

Reviews (1)

Civics you probably didn't get in high school
Garry Wills' Explaining America - The Federalist (1982) presents civics as I never learned it in high school. Wills is probably better known for more recent books (e.g. Lincoln at Gettysburg), or his coverage of the 1988 Presidential campaign. There is substance here - a detailed consideration of the context in which Alexander Hamilton and James Madison wrote The Federalist Papers, and their understanding of how the government would work under the Constitution. [Some of this conceptual framework was re-presented in A Necessary Evil.] The preface identifies this to be volume 2 of a 4-book series on the foundations of the U.S. government. I have been unable to locate the promised volumes 3&4, on the Constitution itself, and on the Supreme Court.Read more

Subjects:  1. Constitutions    2. Federalist    3. History    4. History & Theory - General    5. History - General History    6. History - U.S.    7. History: American    8. United States - General    9. History / United States / General   

Reviews (4)

On the Medieval Origins of the Modern State
Strayer's depth of knowledge and simplicity of thought are seldom combined in books with a challenging thesis that is still debated today.For example, the recent President of the American Historical Associate(James J. Sheehan) presenteda Presidential Address(AHR Feb.2006) that challenges Strayer's analysis of the origins of sovereignty in Western Europe and more than a few recent historians have criticized Strayer's Anglophile framework foranalyzing the evolving types of governing entities found in France and England in the 1300's. Not bad for a book that is a little over 100 pages long and written nearly 40 years ago.A suberb example of concise and erudite scholarship!

All State, No Nation
This is a classic, both for it's clarity and for its brevity(110 pages!).Strayer was a professor at Princeton and worked for the CIA on the side.In his book, "the invention of the middle ages", Norman Cantor describes his life as a graduate student at Princeton under Strayer.Apparently he was always running off to advise the government on one thing or another.It's an amusing thought.
Strayer is a genius
The true mark of a genius is in developing an idea that, when put forth seems obvious, yet is an original idea.This book is Strayer's work of genius.Being so short, Strayer's book should be mandatory reading in the public school system.No one else has come close to explaining the unique origin of the state system in the modern West. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Medieval    7. Middle Ages    8. Politics    9. Politics and government    10. Constitution: government & the state    11. European History    12. History / Medieval   

Subjects:  1. Civil rights    2. History & Theory - General    3. Human rights    4. Philosophy    5. Political    6. Political And Civil Rights    7. State    8. State, The    9. British Literature    10. Constitution: government & the state    11. Philosophy / Political    12. Political Science and International Relations    13. Political science & theory