James Madison's Constitution

In James Madison's Constitution, Eric T. Kasper and Howard Schweber have assembled a roster of ten prominent contributors to excavate Madisons thinking about key concepts and issues over questions of what the Constitution requires, permits, and prohibits. Madisons key role at the Constitutions drafting was instrumental in forging the document into what it is today. In many areas, the modern Constitution still reflects Madisons conception and design. In other areas, however, the Constitution as it emerged in a final textand as it has been amended and interpreted to the present daydoes not always conform to Madisons vision. Nevertheless, examining Madisons thinking across a range of constitutional issues has much to offer for understanding our nations primary governing document today. Indeed, there are great disagreements among jurists, policymakers, journalists, academics, and the general public about how to interpret the Constitution and what various clauses mean. Frequently, Madison is cited as a source on both sides of political, scholarly, and legal debates over the meaning of various constitutional provisions. Contributors: Jeff Broadwater, Paul Finkelman, Zachary K. German, Alan R. Gibson, Jack N. Rakove, David J. Siemers, Quentin P. Taylor, George Thomas, Lynn Uzzell, and Michael P. Zuckert.