
A Theory of Liberty
The Constitution and Minorities
H. N. Hirsch(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 4. December 2019
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-0-367-23199-6 (ISBN)
Description
First published in 1992. A Theory of Liberty seeks to change the way we think about the American constitution. The focus of the book is the legal status of minority groups in the United States a topic at the top of the current political agenda. Arguing that minority rights were vitally important to the founding fathers, H. N. Hirsch presents an original and provocative look at issues such as affirmative action, abortion, and the rights of children, lesbians and gay men, mental patients, and the physically disabled.
In an analysis which blends history, philosophy, law, and social science, Hirsch attacks both liberals who hide from history and conservatives who push for "original intent." He argues that we can remain faithful to the most basic intent of the founding fathers without losing our ability to reinterpret the Constitution against the backdrop of contemporary social "facts." Hirsch exposes the errors and hypocrisy of the current Supreme Court majority, and argues that the Constitution's liberty can and should be interpreted to protect the rights of minority groups.
Timely and controversial, this title offers a challenging look at some of America's most basic ideological commitments, and will appeal to anyone concerned with the current state of American law or the treatment of minority groups.
In an analysis which blends history, philosophy, law, and social science, Hirsch attacks both liberals who hide from history and conservatives who push for "original intent." He argues that we can remain faithful to the most basic intent of the founding fathers without losing our ability to reinterpret the Constitution against the backdrop of contemporary social "facts." Hirsch exposes the errors and hypocrisy of the current Supreme Court majority, and argues that the Constitution's liberty can and should be interpreted to protect the rights of minority groups.
Timely and controversial, this title offers a challenging look at some of America's most basic ideological commitments, and will appeal to anyone concerned with the current state of American law or the treatment of minority groups.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
General, Postgraduate, and Undergraduate
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
602 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-367-23199-6 (9780367231996)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
12/2021
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.50
Shipment within 15-20 days

E-Book
11/2019
1st Edition
Routledge
€45.99
Available for download
Person
H. N. Hirsch
Content
Acknowledgments; 1. Introduction: Liberal Jurisprudence, History, and Political Science 2. Liberty: The Black Box 3. Police Powers, Neutral Principles, and Constitutional Change 4. "The Most Wilful Blindness": The Supreme Court and Social Facts 5. Democracy, Empathy, and Suspect Classes 6. The Threnody of Liberalism: Liberty and Community; Index; Index of Cases