A Review of Constitutional Law and Politics by David M. O'Brien
A Review of Constitutional Law and Politics by David M. O'Brien
Constitutional Law and Politics is a two-volume textbook by David M. O'Brien, a professor of politics at the University of Virginia and a former Supreme Court correspondent for The Los Angeles Times. The book covers the history, development, and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and its impact on American politics and society. It also examines the role and function of the Supreme Court and other federal courts in resolving constitutional disputes and protecting civil rights and liberties.
Constitutional Law And Politics O'brien.pdf
The book is divided into two parts: Volume One focuses on the struggles for power and governmental accountability among the branches of government, the states, and the people; Volume Two explores the civil rights and civil liberties issues that have shaped American constitutional law and politics. Each volume consists of 16 chapters that combine historical narrative, case summaries, excerpts from court opinions, documents, charts, graphs, and tables. The book also includes annual supplements entitled Supreme Court Watch that provide updates on the Court's most recent decisions and activities.
Constitutional Law and Politics is a comprehensive, engaging, and accessible introduction to American constitutional law and politics for students, scholars, and general readers. It offers a balanced and critical perspective on the constitutional issues that have shaped and continue to shape American democracy. It also provides a wealth of resources for further research and analysis, such as bibliographies, glossaries, appendices, websites, and online supplements.
The book is available in both print and digital formats from W.W. Norton & Company. The latest edition was published in 2014. The book can also be accessed online for free from the Internet Archive[^1^] [^2^] [^3^].
One of the main strengths of Constitutional Law and Politics is its historical approach to constitutional law and politics. O'Brien traces the origins and evolution of the Constitution and its amendments, as well as the political and social contexts that influenced their adoption and interpretation. He also shows how constitutional law and politics have been shaped by the changing needs and values of American society, as well as by the personalities and ideologies of the Supreme Court justices and other political actors. O'Brien provides a rich and detailed account of the constitutional debates and controversies that have defined American democracy, from the founding era to the present day.
Another strength of Constitutional Law and Politics is its critical analysis of constitutional law and politics. O'Brien does not shy away from expressing his own views and judgments on the constitutional issues and cases that he discusses. He also invites the readers to think critically and independently about the constitutional questions and challenges that face American democracy. He encourages the readers to consider different perspectives and arguments on constitutional law and politics, as well as to evaluate the consequences and implications of the Supreme Court's decisions and doctrines. O'Brien challenges the readers to question their own assumptions and opinions on constitutional law and politics, and to develop their own informed and reasoned positions.
A possible weakness of Constitutional Law and Politics is its length and complexity. The book covers a vast amount of material and information on constitutional law and politics, which may be overwhelming or intimidating for some readers. The book also uses a lot of legal terminology and concepts, which may be unfamiliar or confusing for some readers. The book may require a lot of time and effort to read and understand, especially for those who are new to constitutional law and politics. The book may also be outdated or incomplete in some aspects, as it does not reflect the most recent developments and changes in constitutional law and politics. e0e6b7cb5c