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Worse Than Nothing: The Dangerous Fallacy of Originalism
"Chemerinsky . . . offers a concise, point-by-point refutation of the theory [of originalism]. He argues that it cannot deliver what it promises--and if it could, no one would want what it is selling."--David Cole, New York Review of Books
Originalism, the view that the meaning of a constitutional provision is fixed when it is adopted, was once the fringe theory of a few extremely conservative legal scholars but is now a well-accepted mode of constitutional interpretation. Three of the Supreme Court's nine justices explicitly embrace the originalist approach, as do increasing numbers of judges in the lower courts.
Noted legal scholar Erwin Chemerinsky gives a comprehensive analysis of the problems that make originalism unworkable as a method of constitutional interpretation. He argues that the framers themselves never intended constitutional interpretation to be inflexible and shows how it is often impossible to know what the "original intent" of any particular provision was. Perhaps worst of all, though its supporters tout it as a politically neutral and objective method, originalist interpretation tends to disappear when its results fail to conform to modern conservative ideology.
Book Details
- Publisher: Yale University Press
- Publish Date: Jun 6th, 2023
- Pages: 264
- Language: English
- Edition: undefined - undefined
- Dimensions: 8.50in - 5.51in - 0.79in - 0.66lb
- EAN: 9780300273984
- Categories: • Constitutional• Political• American Government - Judicial Branch
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About the Author
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What people are saying
Los Angeles Review of Books
“Erwin Chemerinsky calls originalism ‘a dangerous approach to constitutional law that would jeopardize basic rights and advances in equality.’” Stephen Rohde reviews Erwin Chemerinsky‘s novel “Worse Than Nothing: The Dangerous Fallacy of Originalism.” https://t.co/AS6af31Gsm https://t.co/J6mrghtvJa
Literary Agency based in Los Angeles. Spoiler: we tweet about books. And other things we love. No queries over Twitter please.
Happy paperback pub day to WORSE THAN NOTHING by Erwin Chemerinsky! This comprehensive deep-dive into the dangers of originalism in the judicial branch is available from @yalepress 📖 https://t.co/rAiTHyFWSn
Introducing a scientific approach to legal studies, Law as Science emphasizes methodology in legal research.
Law as Science 2023 Events - https://t.co/hOMP0GJObg In case you missed it, here are the recordings of @berkeleylaw Dean Erwin Chemerinsky presenting his book "Worse Than Nothing. The Dangerous Fallacy of Originalism." https://t.co/xd1gAa672X
Praise for this book
Listed by Wall Street Journal in "12 Books to Read: The Best Reviews of September"
"Lucid [and] convincing . . . [with] sensible arguments opposing what seems like the wave of the future."--Kirkus Reviews
"[A] timely and devastating refutation of originalism. . . . Chemerinsky is eminently qualified to mount this critique. . . . [It is] the definitive obituary of originalism."--Stephen Rohde, Los Angeles Review of Books
"Chemerinsky has written a powerful, respectful but devastating critique of the political practice known as originalism. This rich and careful book provides essential context for understanding the confusions and self-deceptions of that project."--Aziz Z. Huq, Frank and Bernice J. Greenberg Professor of Law, University of Chicago
"Worse Than Nothing addresses an exceptionally timely and significant issue. Chemerinsky provides a definitive account of the rise and pitfalls of originalism that is accessible to a broad audience of lawyers and nonlawyers alike."--Leah Litman, professor of law, University of Michigan Law School
"Worse Than Nothing is a devastating, concise, and beautifully written critique of originalism. It is a must read for anyone interested in the current debates about originalism and constitutional interpretation."--Eric J. Segall, author of Originalism as Faith
"Originalism mistakenly seeks to slavishly tie interpretation of our living Constitution to a single point in time. Nowhere is this mistake more forcefully and clearly explained than in this excellent new book by Erwin Chemerinsky."--Martin H. Redish, author of Judicial Independence and the American Constitution
"Clear, concise and devastating. . . . A must-read for anyone interested in the Constitution and its contemporary meaning."--David Cole, national legal director of the ACLU
What people are saying
Los Angeles Review of Books
“Erwin Chemerinsky calls originalism ‘a dangerous approach to constitutional law that would jeopardize basic rights and advances in equality.’” Stephen Rohde reviews Erwin Chemerinsky‘s novel “Worse Than Nothing: The Dangerous Fallacy of Originalism.” https://t.co/AS6af31Gsm https://t.co/J6mrghtvJa
Literary Agency based in Los Angeles. Spoiler: we tweet about books. And other things we love. No queries over Twitter please.
Happy paperback pub day to WORSE THAN NOTHING by Erwin Chemerinsky! This comprehensive deep-dive into the dangers of originalism in the judicial branch is available from @yalepress 📖 https://t.co/rAiTHyFWSn