Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints

by Lee J. Epstein, Thomas G. Walker

A host of political factors―both internal and external―influence the Court’s decisions and shape the development of constitutional law. Among the more significant forces at work are the ways lawyers and interest groups frame legal disputes, the ideological and behavioral propensities of the justices, the politics of judicial selection, public opinion, and the positions that elected officials take, to name just a few. Combining lessons of the legal model with the influences of the political process, Constitutional Law for a Changing America shows how these dynamics shape the development of constitutional doctrine. 

The Tenth Edition offers rigorous, comprehensive content in a student-friendly manner. With meticulous revising and updating throughout, best-selling authors Lee Epstein and Thomas G. Walker streamline material while accounting for new scholarship and recent landmark cases―including key opinions handed down through the 2018 judicial session. Well-loved features keep students engaged by offering a clear delineation between commentary and opinion excerpts, a "Facts" and "Arguments" section before every case, a superb photo program, "Aftermath" and "Global Perspective" boxes, and a wealth of tables, figures, and maps. Students will walk away with an understanding that Supreme Court cases involve real people engaged in real disputes and are not merely legal names and citations.

Genres: Law, Politics, Reference, Nonfiction, History, Textbooks

784 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Anthony Zupancic · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good collection of cases, organized thematically, for an undergrad constitutional law class.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good for an undergraduate Con Law book.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a textbook, but I thought that it was a very good one if you have any interest in the topic. The book mixes case law review and interpretation in a very symbiotic way.

[Jim Twombly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good, thorough text on the basics of Con Law - the institutional foundations.