Governmental Powers: Cases and Readings in Constitutional Law and American Democracy

Governmental Powers: Cases and Readings in Constitutional Law and American Democracy, written by prominent scholar and professor of constitutional law and political theory, Corey Brettschneider, explores the division, enumeration, and roles of the governmental powers established under the U.S. Constitution and the controversies arising from that system in the context of a changing American society. Like its parent volume, Constitutional Law and American Democracy, this text offers a wealth of highly focused case excerpts and interdisciplinary readings dealing with today s most salient debates. These carefully selected readings and cases focus on high-interest topics, including the nature and justification of judicial review, federalism, and separation of powers, and work together to create a nuanced view of key political and constitutional issues.

Grounded in precedent, constitutional theory, and history, this bold work explores urgent issues of current debate and controversy making Governmental Powers fun to read and to teach. The clear, well-reasoned writing frequently challenges and always engages.

A dynamic book drawing on a wealth of sources, Governmental Powers: Cases and Readings in Constitutional Law and American Democracy, features:

• An organization linking the history of the Constitution, constitutional law, and the structure of the federal government to contemporary issues and controversies
• A wealth of primary sources, including case excerpts, concurring and dissenting opinions, law journal and interdisciplinary articles, and published letters
• A new chapter on the nature and implications of the Supreme Court s 2012 decision regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act
• A focused selection of cases conveying a nuanced perspective on the Constitution and the political and constitutional disputes that have shaped its meaning
• Exposure to legal argumentation through astutely selected and edited readings from noted scholars and theorists
• Coverage spanning the history and development of constitutional law up to the present day, with ample background for considering the big-picture questions of constitutional doctrine and the Supreme Court s role
• A stimulating balance of foundational and cutting-edge topical coverage that doesn t sidestep provocative or controversial subject matter
• Overviews in each chapter introducing the constitutional arguments, chapter readings, and cases
• Discussion questions promoting comprehension, analysis, and classroom discourse

Teachers of constitutional law have long awaited a text like this. Brettschneider blends the most important pertinent statements of political and legal theory with skillful excerpts from the major constitutional cases on governmental powers, civil rights, and civil liberties. Brettschneider s insightful commentaries make the text all the richer. Rogers M. Smith, Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of Pennsylvania