Constitutional Interpretation: Textual Meaning, Original Intent, and Judicial Review
Constitutional theory and judicial interpretation are major ways to understand the U.S. Constitution and the U.S. Supreme Court's role in American society. Whittington (politics, Princeton) offers an innovative constitutional theory based upon originalism, a revised normative defense of original intent. As a means of constitutional interpretation, originalism limits government actions within the constitutional framework and extends constitutional meaning to current disputes. Supreme Court interpretation and construction of the Constitution are analytically distinguished as ways to achieve constitutional meaning. Whittington demonstrates how the Court's legal and political foundations led to its judicial review authority over other governmental branches. This carefully constructed study of how "constitutional interpretation can fit into a larger theory of constitutional practice and authority" is highly recommended for legal scholars, academics, and individuals interested in the foundations of American government and the judiciary.ASteven Puro, St. Louis Univ.Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.