Synopses & Reviews
This book examines the "constitutional faith" that has, since 1788, been a central component of American "civil religion." By taking seriously the parallel between wholehearted acceptance of the Constitution and religious faith, Sanford Levinson opens up a host of intriguing questions about what it means to be American. While some view the Constitution as the central component of an American religion that serves to unite the social order, Levinson maintains that its sacred role can result in conflict, fragmentation, and even war. To Levinson, the Constitution's value lies in the realm of the discourse it sustains: a uniquely American form of political rhetoric that allows citizens to grapple with every important public issue imaginable.
In a new afterword, Levinson looks at the deepening of constitutional worship and attributes the current widespread frustrations with the government to the static nature of the Constitution.
Review
The signal virtue of these fascinating travels through the metaphoric and historical life of the secular worship of the Constitution is the challenge . . . to work out the terms of one's own constitutional faith. -- Michael Meltsner, The Nation Sanford Levinson is a man of the left who takes patriotism seriously. In Constitutional Faith, he offers a timely meditation on exactly what, if anything, America can stand for. -- Stephen Macedo, The New Republic [R]ich and pleasingly controversial. -- Thomas Morawetz, Philadelphia Inquirer [Levinson] brilliantly transposes his concern from the overfamiliar problem of how judges should decide cases and how they can be restrained from becoming tyrants to the question of what it means to adhere to a constitution. . . . [The book] is rich and pleasingly conversational. -- Thomas Morawetz, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Review
"The signal virtue of these fascinating travels through the metaphoric and historical life of the secular worship of the Constitution is the challenge . . . to work out the terms of one's own constitutional faith."--Michael Meltsner, The Nation
Review
"Sanford Levinson is a man of the left who takes patriotism seriously. In Constitutional Faith, he offers a timely meditation on exactly what, if anything, America can stand for."--Stephen Macedo, The New Republic
Review
"[R]ich and pleasingly controversial."--Thomas Morawetz, Philadelphia Inquirer
Review
"[Levinson] brilliantly transposes his concern from the overfamiliar problem of how judges should decide cases and how they can be restrained from becoming tyrants to the question of what it means to adhere to a constitution. . . . [The book] is rich and pleasingly conversational."--Thomas Morawetz, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Review
[R]ich and pleasingly controversial. Stephen Macedo - The New Republic
Review
Winner of the 1989 Scribes Book Award, American Society of Writers on Legal Subjects
Review
“This book is a delight, and an excellent introduction to The Federalist. Almost anyone, whether beginner or experienced scholar, can benefit from reading Levinson's take on these classic essays."—Jack M. Balkin, Yale Law School
Review
“Sanford Levinson has one of the most original minds in the American legal community, and it is on full display in this wonderful new book.”—Alan Wolfe, Boston College
Review
"Levinson's brilliant short essays do much more than bring extraordinary insight to one of our most important Founding documents. They show how the questions posed by The Federalist are timeless, global and as compelling today as they were when written. Levinson gives more relevance to The Federalist than it has had since 1788. Fascinating and important."—Elliot Gerson, The Aspen Institute
Review
“In his new examination of the Federalist Papers, Levinson lays out a powerful case for believing that the Founders, far from thinking government should be constrained, were focused instead on how to give it sufficient power to function effectively. Agree with him or not, Levinson’s is a brilliant and well-constructed brief for rethinking what our Founders were trying to say.”—Former Congressman Mickey Edwards, author of The Parties versus the People: How to Turn Republicans and Democrats into Americans
Synopsis
This book examines the "constitutional faith" that has, since 1788, been a central component of American "civil religion." By taking seriously the parallel between wholehearted acceptance of the Constitution and religious faith, Sanford Levinson opens up a host of intriguing questions about what it means to be American. While some view the Constitution as the central component of an American religion that serves to unite the social order, Levinson maintains that its sacred role can result in conflict, fragmentation, and even war. To Levinson, the Constitution's value lies in the realm of the discourse it sustains: a uniquely American form of political rhetoric that allows citizens to grapple with every important public issue imaginable.
In a new afterword, Levinson looks at the deepening of constitutional worship and attributes the current widespread frustrations with the government to the static nature of the Constitution.
Synopsis
"I found
Constitutional Faith a profound and profoundly unsettling examination of the paradoxes of Constitutional history. I imagine it will be necessary reading from now on to all those readers, and not only scholars, sensitive to the delicate web of beliefs that gives cohesion to our national life and identity."
--E. L. Doctorow"I finally understand why the Constitution is to America what the Holy Scriptures are to Jews and Christians."--Bill Moyers
"[A] lively, intelligent, timely, and highly original study of American constitutionalism as a form of secular religion. [This book] deserves a wide audience."--Richard A. Posner, U.S. Court of Appeals
Synopsis
"I found Constitutional Faith a profound and profoundly unsettling examination of the paradoxes of Constitutional history. I imagine it will be necessary reading from now on to all those readers, and not only scholars, sensitive to the delicate web of beliefs that gives cohesion to our national life and identity."--E. L. Doctorow
"I finally understand why the Constitution is to America what the Holy Scriptures are to Jews and Christians."--Bill Moyers
"[A] lively, intelligent, timely, and highly original study of American constitutionalism as a form of secular religion. [This book] deserves a wide audience."--Richard A. Posner, U.S. Court of Appeals
Synopsis
This book examines the "constitutional faith" that has, since 1788, been a central component of American "civil religion." By taking seriously the parallel between wholehearted acceptance of the Constitution and religious faith, Sanford Levinson opens up a host of intriguing questions about what it means to be American. While some view the Constitution as the central component of an American religion that serves to unite the social order, Levinson maintains that its sacred role can result in conflict, fragmentation, and even war. To Levinson, the Constitution's value lies in the realm of the discourse it sustains: a uniquely American form of political rhetoric that allows citizens to grapple with every important public issue imaginable.
In a new afterword, Levinson looks at the deepening of constitutional worship and attributes the current widespread frustrations with the government to the static nature of the Constitution.
Synopsis
"I found
Constitutional Faith a profound and profoundly unsettling examination of the paradoxes of Constitutional history. I imagine it will be necessary reading from now on to all those readers, and not only scholars, sensitive to the delicate web of beliefs that gives cohesion to our national life and identity."--E. L. Doctorow
"I finally understand why the Constitution is to America what the Holy Scriptures are to Jews and Christians."--Bill Moyers
"[A] lively, intelligent, timely, and highly original study of American constitutionalism as a form of secular religion. [This book] deserves a wide audience."--Richard A. Posner, U.S. Court of Appeals
Synopsis
From one of America’s most distinguished constitutional scholars, an intriguing exploration of America’s most famous political tract and its relevance to today’s politics
Synopsis
In An Argument Open to All, renowned legal scholar Sanford Levinson takes a novel approach to what is perhaps America’s most famous political tract. Rather than concern himself with the authors as historical figures, or how The Federalist helps us understand the original intent of the framers of the Constitution, Levinson examines each essay for the political wisdom it can offer us today. In eighty-five short essays, each keyed to a different essay in The Federalist, he considers such questions as whether present generations can rethink their constitutional arrangements; how much effort we should exert to preserve America’s traditional culture; and whether The Federalist’s arguments even suggest the desirability of world government.
About the Author
Sanford Levinson is professor of law and government at the University of Texas Law School and a frequent visitor at the Harvard and Yale law schools. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His many books include "Our Undemocratic Constitution".