War and Responsibility

by John Hart Ely

Twenty years after the signing of the Paris Accords, the constitutional ambiguities of American involvement in the Vietnam War remain unresolved. John Hart Ely examines the overall constitutionality of America's role in Vietnam; and shows that Congress authorized each new phase of American involvement without committing itself to the stated aims of intervention.

Genres: Law, Government

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Kaelen Kinnaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constitutional law at its finest. Ely convincingly argues that the War the Vietnam was, in fact, constitutional. However, the bombing of Laos/Cambodia was not. His legal analysis of the executive branches shift towards noncompliance with the constitutional obligation for legislative approval of military action is quite worrisome. His suggested solution seems to be a clear imorovement. Extremely interesting book that's very enjoyable to read.

[Elizabeth]

This book provides a comprehensive treatment of the events leading immediately up to the Vietnam war, and the constitutional and political issues surrounding the war itself and the undeclared (and undisclosed) military actions taking place in Indochina contemporaneous with Vietnam.