How democratic is the American Constitution?
By: Robert A. Dahl
Series: The Castle lectures in ethics, politics, and economics
Publisher: Yale University Press
Published: 2001
Place of publication: New Haven
Language: eng
Number of pages: 198
ISBN-13: 9780300092189
Subjects: Constitutional history; Constitutions; Constitution; Grondwetten; Verfassung; Démocratie; États-Unis; Democracy; Constitutional law; Histoire constitutionnelle; Droit constitutionnel; Democratie; Demokratie
Description: "In this book, one of our most eminent political scientists poses the question, "Why should we uphold our Constitution?" The vast majority of Americans venerate the American Constitution and the principles it embodies, but many also worry that the United States has fallen behind other nations on crucial democratic issues, including economic equality, racial integration, and women's rights.

Robert Dahl explores this vital tension between the belief of Americans in the legitimacy of their Constitution and their belief in the principles of democracy."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [173]-190) and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction: fundamental questions; title: What the framers couldn't know; title: The constitution as a model: an American illusion; title: Electing the president; title: How well does the constitutional system perform?; title: Why not a more democratic constitution?; title: Some reflections on the prospects for a more democratic constitution.