
Ex Uno Plura
State Constitutions and Their Political Cultures
James T. McHugh(Author)
State University of New York Press
Published on 11. August 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
350 pages
978-0-7914-5750-4 (ISBN)
Description
Explores the foundations of various state constitutional traditions.
State constitutions have become increasingly important in light of recent trends in jurisprudence that favor decentralizing the American federal system. Ex Uno Plura uses a political culture approach to explore eight state constitutional traditions. McHugh argues that state jurisprudence is not merely a reflection of the process, values, and decisions found at the federal level, especially through the influence of the Fourteenth Amendment. A close examination of separate state constitutions, including their origins, sociopolitical cultures, and jurisprudence, reveals historically, culturally, and philosophically unique characteristics, each of which will contribute to the ongoing debate concerning American judicial federalism. The states included are Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming.
State constitutions have become increasingly important in light of recent trends in jurisprudence that favor decentralizing the American federal system. Ex Uno Plura uses a political culture approach to explore eight state constitutional traditions. McHugh argues that state jurisprudence is not merely a reflection of the process, values, and decisions found at the federal level, especially through the influence of the Fourteenth Amendment. A close examination of separate state constitutions, including their origins, sociopolitical cultures, and jurisprudence, reveals historically, culturally, and philosophically unique characteristics, each of which will contribute to the ongoing debate concerning American judicial federalism. The states included are Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming.
Reviews / Votes
"I particularly liked the interesting details about state constitutional development. McHugh obviously spent a great amount of time investigating the cultural and ideological circumstances native to these particular states, and it shows with rich and descriptive detail." - Laura Langer, author of Judicial Review in State Supreme Courts: A Comparative StudyMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Albany, NY
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 227 mm
Width: 162 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7914-5750-4 (9780791457504)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
02/2012
1st Edition
De Gruyter
€38.49
Available for download
Person
James T. McHugh is Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Legal Studies Program at Roosevelt University. He is the author of Comparative Constitutional Traditions, The Essential Concept of Law, and the coauthor (with James S. Pacy) of Diplomats Without a Country: Baltic Diplomacy, International Law, and the Cold War.
Content
Acknowledgments
Preface
Table of Cases
1. Introduction. American Constitutionalism and Political Culture
2. Alaska. Frontier Autonomy
3. California. Diverse Microcosm
4. Georgia. Southern Republicanism
5. Hawaii. A Multi-Ethnic Heritage
6. Louisiana. Constitutional Patriarchy
7. Utah. A Liberal Theocracy
8. Vermont. A Republic Apart
9. Wyoming. Communitarian Ideal
10. Conclusion
Notes
Index
Preface
Table of Cases
1. Introduction. American Constitutionalism and Political Culture
2. Alaska. Frontier Autonomy
3. California. Diverse Microcosm
4. Georgia. Southern Republicanism
5. Hawaii. A Multi-Ethnic Heritage
6. Louisiana. Constitutional Patriarchy
7. Utah. A Liberal Theocracy
8. Vermont. A Republic Apart
9. Wyoming. Communitarian Ideal
10. Conclusion
Notes
Index