An argument open to all : reading The Federalist in the 21st century /: reading The Federalist in the 21st century. (2015)

• Record Type: Book
• Further Information: Note: Sanford Levinson.
• Authors: Levinson, Sanford, 1941-
• Contents: Publius, our contemporary : an introduction -- Part 1. Something must be done to save the Union. On the frequency of "reflection and choice" by "we the people" -- How much pluribus within a single unum? -- Federalism and foreign policy -- "Concerning dangers from foreign force" -- In union there is strength -- Humankind as "ambitious, vindictive, and rapacious" -- Endless sources of conflict (and war), even within the United States -- On the rise of a militarized state -- Part 2. Bigger is, in fact, better. The new (and improved) science of politics -- Can moral or religious education overcome natural tendencies toward faction? -- It's a harsh and competitive world out there -- Commerce and state finance -- Economies of scale -- Publius and permanent revolution (or, at least, improvement) -- Part 3. Why "confederation" is both "odious" and an "imbecility." "The imbecility of our government" -- Why confederation is "odious" and a national government is necessary -- The political sociology of federalism (part I) -- Ancient history as caution -- The defects of multiple sovereigns -- The Dutch provide the final cautionary example -- On the importance of sanctions -- Publius as majoritarian -- Part 4. The state and the machinery of death (or, at least, defense) : standing armies. "Common defence" and (un)limited government -- The inconvenience of militia service -- More on the merits of standing armies -- In whom do we place our "confidence"? -- Further reflections on confidence in the national government -- The necessity of force -- "Concerning the militia" -- Part 5. How does one pay for the services supplied by the Union? On taxes and the taxing power. First death, now taxes -- On the inutility of specified limits -- Taxation and constitutional interpretation -- The irrelevance of text -- Drafting a constitution with the long view in mind -- Who will allocate the tax burdens, and why should we trust them? -- State and national official as partners or adversaries -- Part 6. To err is human (and perfect clarity is chimerical). Human (and even divine) fallibility and written constitutions -- The best as the enemy of the good--and the necessary -- Federalism, "compact, " and the specter of secession. Part 7. On the limits of the "rule of law." Exigency and fidelity to law -- Existential dangers and legal fidelity -- Part 8. National and state prerogatives (and maintenance of a federal political order). Who should control naturalization (and immigration)? -- Controlling internal insurrections -- Confidence, money, and debt -- Evaluating the constitutional order -- The political sociology of federalism (part II) -- Is "separation of powers" a helpful maxim? -- "Parchment barriers" -- Part 9. Veneration versus reflection. "Veneration" versus "reflection and choice" -- Maintaining constitutional fidelity -- Part 10. Institutional design : the legislature. Designing institutions for devils (who organize themselves into political parties) -- Suffrage and representation -- For how long should representatives serve? -- Who counts as worthy of representation, and for how much? -- Does size matter, and if not, what does? -- "Local knowledge" and representation -- Does "representation" mean "mirroring"? -- Does the "iron law of oligarchy" apply to the House of Representatives? -- Part 11. Who should be in charge of elections? The death of state autonomy? -- Manipulating elections -- What is a propitious time to choose representatives? -- Part 12. On the senate. On the "lesser evil" -- Let sleeping sovereigns lie? -- The Senate's superior wisdom on foreign affairs -- The Senate's confirmation and impeachment powers -- The past is a different country -- Part 13. On the executive. A monarchical president? -- Selecting the president -- Comparing the president with the/a king -- Unity in the executive -- How long should a president be able to serve? -- You can't get too much of a good president -- Why the presidential veto? -- The presidential prerogative to pardon -- The complicated process of making or refusing to make treaties -- The appointment power -- The constitutional bona fides of a unilateral authority to remove executive branch officials -- Part 14. The roles of the national judiciary. Is the judiciary "above politics"? -- Fixed salaries--but what about inflation? -- The importance of federal courts -- Discipling judges by threatening impeachment? -- A judiciary for the whole -- Trial by jury -- Part 15. Reprise : the importance of institutions and the necessity of a strong national government. The limited importance--if not outright dangers--of bills of rights -- "A nation [with] a national government."
• Publisher Details: New Haven : Yale University Press
• Publication Date: 2015
• Extent: 1 online resource
• Subjects: 320.473; Federal government -- United States; Constitutional history -- United States; Histoire constitutionnelle -- États-Unis; POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Essays; POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Government -- General; POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Government -- National; POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Reference; Constitutional history; Federal government; Politics and government; United States -- Politics and government; United States -- Politics and government -- 21st century; États-Unis -- Politique et gouvernement; États-Unis -- Politique et gouvernement -- 21e siècle; United States; Electronic books
• Languages: English
• ISBNs: 9780300216455; 0300216459
• Related ISBNs: 9780300199598
• Notes: Note: Includes bibliographical references and index.; Note: Online resource; title from PDF title page (Ebsco, viewed on November 9, 2015).
• Access Rights: Legal Deposit; Only available on premises controlled by the deposit library and to one user at any one time; The Legal Deposit Libraries (Non-Print Works) Regulations (UK).
• Access Usage: Restricted: Printing from this resource is governed by The Legal Deposit Libraries (Non-Print Works) Regulations (UK) and UK copyright law currently in force.