Originalism, federalism, and the American constitutional enterprise : a historical inquiry
In this lively historical examination of American federalism, a leading scholar in the field refutes the widely accepted notion that the founding fathers carefully crafted a constitutional balance of power between the states and the federal government. Edward A. Purcell Jr. bases his argument on close analysis of the Constitution's original structure and the ways that structure both induced and accommodated changes over the centuries. There was no clear agreement among the founding fathers regarding the "true" nature of American federalism, Purcell contends, nor was there a consensus on "correct" lines dividing state and national authority. Furthermore, even had there been some true "original" understanding, the elastic and dynamic nature of the constitutional structure would have made it impossible for subsequent generations to maintain any "original" or permanent balance. The author traces the evolution of federalism through the centuries, focusing particularly on shifting interpretations founded on political interests. He concludes with insights into current issues of federal power and a discussion of the grounds on which legitimate decisions about federal and state power should rest. - Publisher
x, 301 pages ; 24 cm
9780300122039, 9780300212013, 0300122039, 0300212011
104883787
ORIGINALISM, FEDERALISM, AND THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL ENTERPRISE
A HISTORICAL INQUIRYBy Edward A. Purcell Jr.
Yale University Press
Copyright © 2007 Edward A. Purcell JrAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-300-12203-9
Contents
Acknowledgments.................................................................ixIntroduction. The Inquiry1 American Constitutional Federalism as a Normative Problem.....................3Part I. Structural Intrinsics2 Federalism as Doubly Blurred..................................................173 Federalism as Fractionated....................................................384 Federalism as Instrumental....................................................535 Federalism as Contingent......................................................69Part II. Consequential Dynamics6 Kaleidoscopic Politics........................................................857 Readjusting Components........................................................1118 Contested Authorities.........................................................1409 Evolving Understandings.......................................................161Part III. Conclusion10 The "Arduous Enterprise".....................................................189Notes...........................................................................207Index...........................................................................293
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