Book Reviews: Law, Legal Issues, Legal Problems, Debates
The law is not an esoteric subject that is irrelevant to our lives; on the contrary, much of what we do is constrained or aided by how the law is written and interpreted. Understanding the law often isn't easy, but every year there are a few good books that explain the law and offer a critical perspective on how the law is "done" today. Here you can find reviews of recently published books dealing with legal issues, laws, the legal system, the courts, key legal decisions and more.
It's All the Rage: Crime and Culture, by Wendy Kaminer
During the 1980s and 1990s, debates about criminal justice and the death penalty occupied important positions in the political landscape. The more conservative 'get tough on crime' perspective won out with longer mandatory minimum sentences, three strikes laws, and a renaissance of prison building...
During the 1980s and 1990s, debates about criminal justice and the death penalty occupied important positions in the political landscape. The more conservative 'get tough on crime' perspective won out with longer mandatory minimum sentences, three strikes laws, and a renaissance of prison building...
The Rehnquist Court and the Constitution
With the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, we can expect to see a large number of books examining the history and likely legacy of his time on the Supreme Court. This is only fair because Rehnquist served for over 30 years on the Court, pushing for a conservative shift away from the Burger and Warren courts of the previous decades.
With the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, we can expect to see a large number of books examining the history and likely legacy of his time on the Supreme Court. This is only fair because Rehnquist served for over 30 years on the Court, pushing for a conservative shift away from the Burger and Warren courts of the previous decades.
Hiding from Humanity: Disgust, Shame, and the Law
Sometimes overtly and sometimes covertly, many contemporary legal and social debates actually turn on questions of disgust and shame. On the overt side, there are increasing calls to have drunk drivers or sexual offenders be 'shamed' in public. On the covert side, arguments against gay marriage and pornography commonly rely upon personal notions about what is disgusting, repugnant, and impure.
Sometimes overtly and sometimes covertly, many contemporary legal and social debates actually turn on questions of disgust and shame. On the overt side, there are increasing calls to have drunk drivers or sexual offenders be 'shamed' in public. On the covert side, arguments against gay marriage and pornography commonly rely upon personal notions about what is disgusting, repugnant, and impure.
The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court is one of the most influential political institutions in the United States of America. It's also a relatively unique institution: other nations have their own high courts, but these courts don't typically have the same broad power to strike down laws as the Supreme Court does.
The Supreme Court is one of the most influential political institutions in the United States of America. It's also a relatively unique institution: other nations have their own high courts, but these courts don't typically have the same broad power to strike down laws as the Supreme Court does.
Dworkin and His Critics: With Replies by Dworkin
Ronald Dworkin is one of the most important figures in the 20th century for moral, legal, and political philosophy. His ideas have spread widely and have had a profound influence on debates over basic issues in all those fields. Those ideas have not, however, been uncontroversial and he has had quite a few critics over the years.
Ronald Dworkin is one of the most important figures in the 20th century for moral, legal, and political philosophy. His ideas have spread widely and have had a profound influence on debates over basic issues in all those fields. Those ideas have not, however, been uncontroversial and he has had quite a few critics over the years.
Miranda: The Story Of America's Right To Remain Silent
You have the right to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney and to have an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you at no cost. Do you understand these rights? If you do, it’s because of the case of Ernest Miranda v. Arizona...
You have the right to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney and to have an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you at no cost. Do you understand these rights? If you do, it’s because of the case of Ernest Miranda v. Arizona...
Same-Sex Marriage: The Moral and Legal Debate
Those who support the legalization of gay marriage in America as well as those who oppose it are each convinced that theirs is the moral, legal, and rational position to hold. They couldn’t be farther apart in the contents of their beliefs, but they are very similar when it comes to the manner of holding those beliefs. How is one to determine who is correct?
Those who support the legalization of gay marriage in America as well as those who oppose it are each convinced that theirs is the moral, legal, and rational position to hold. They couldn’t be farther apart in the contents of their beliefs, but they are very similar when it comes to the manner of holding those beliefs. How is one to determine who is correct?
Case For Same Sex Marriage
What exactly is marriage - is it an institution for one man and one woman to procreate or is it a patriarchal institution designed to perpetuate gender discrimination? Both claims are made by various people opposed to the legalization of gay marriage but neither is very sound. A much better argument can be made for the civilizing influence of gay marriage...
What exactly is marriage - is it an institution for one man and one woman to procreate or is it a patriarchal institution designed to perpetuate gender discrimination? Both claims are made by various people opposed to the legalization of gay marriage but neither is very sound. A much better argument can be made for the civilizing influence of gay marriage...
Debating the Death Penalty: Should America Have Capital Punishment
Debates about the death penalty sometimes take a back seat to those over matters such as abortion, but they don't really end and they rarely seem to arrive at any sort of conclusion. This shouldn't be a surprise - capital punishment has been in regular use in the West for thousands of years, and no one started to question it in a serious manner until a couple of centuries ago.
Debates about the death penalty sometimes take a back seat to those over matters such as abortion, but they don't really end and they rarely seem to arrive at any sort of conclusion. This shouldn't be a surprise - capital punishment has been in regular use in the West for thousands of years, and no one started to question it in a serious manner until a couple of centuries ago.
The Supreme Court, by William H. Rehnquist
Just what is the Supreme Court - what does it do, how does it work and what role does it play in American society? Considering how the Supreme Court has shaped both political and social life in the United States, these are very serous questions. Understanding the Supreme Court's role in America is vital to understanding America itself.
Just what is the Supreme Court - what does it do, how does it work and what role does it play in American society? Considering how the Supreme Court has shaped both political and social life in the United States, these are very serous questions. Understanding the Supreme Court's role in America is vital to understanding America itself.
Law and Religion
For most Americans, the relationship between law and religion is limited almost exclusively to the question of the separation of church and state. That is not, however, the true extent of the relationship, as demonstrated in this recent anthology of articles.
For most Americans, the relationship between law and religion is limited almost exclusively to the question of the separation of church and state. That is not, however, the true extent of the relationship, as demonstrated in this recent anthology of articles.
Entitlement: The Paradox of Property
What is property, and how should society control its use - if at all? Such questions may sound rather esoteric and irrelevant to how most people live their lives, but just the opposite is true. How property is viewed and regulated is among the most fundamental issues which determine how a society is to be structured.
What is property, and how should society control its use - if at all? Such questions may sound rather esoteric and irrelevant to how most people live their lives, but just the opposite is true. How property is viewed and regulated is among the most fundamental issues which determine how a society is to be structured.
Digital Copyright
Have you ever downloaded an MP3 music file from the internet? Have you ever copied software from a friend? Have you ever thought about how a movie might be different if this or that actor had been replaced by someone else? Did you know that all of the above may have been a violation of current American copyright laws?
Have you ever downloaded an MP3 music file from the internet? Have you ever copied software from a friend? Have you ever thought about how a movie might be different if this or that actor had been replaced by someone else? Did you know that all of the above may have been a violation of current American copyright laws?
Courting Disaster
What is the role of the Supreme Court in American society? Is it an impartial arbiter of civil liberties and government power, or is it actually one more political battleground where ideologies and social agendas clash? Maybe it's a bit of both.
What is the role of the Supreme Court in American society? Is it an impartial arbiter of civil liberties and government power, or is it actually one more political battleground where ideologies and social agendas clash? Maybe it's a bit of both.
Supreme Injustice: How the High Court Hijacked Election 2000
Did the United States Supreme Court cheat in its decision in the case of Bush v. Gore, which ultimately led to George W. Bush's election as president of the United States? Alan Dershowitz argues "yes"? to that question and offers some impressive arguments to support his case. By extensively citing the law and the justices' own records, he demonstrates that there was something fishy going on.
Did the United States Supreme Court cheat in its decision in the case of Bush v. Gore, which ultimately led to George W. Bush's election as president of the United States? Alan Dershowitz argues "yes"? to that question and offers some impressive arguments to support his case. By extensively citing the law and the justices' own records, he demonstrates that there was something fishy going on.