Book Reviews: Civil Liberties, Rights, Freedoms, Constitution
Should you have a reasonable expectation of being free from government observation of your political activities? Is freedom of speech an absolute right, or are there legitimate reasons for restricting it? What role does the media play in promoting free speech and in informing the public? Should abortion be a right or a crime? These are a few of the issues addressed in the books reviewed here.
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...
Guantanamo: The War on Human Rights, by David Rose
The detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has become a symbol for America’s war on terrorism. For some, it’s a symbol of what needs to be done and of America’s resolve. For others, it’s a symbol of an American government that has abandoned its principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law.
The detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has become a symbol for America’s war on terrorism. For some, it’s a symbol of what needs to be done and of America’s resolve. For others, it’s a symbol of an American government that has abandoned its principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law.
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...
Thomas Jefferson
One of the most important figures in early American history (and indeed, in American history generally), Thomas Jefferson has long been a figure of intense political and historical research. Every American knows his name, and for many, he is practically a mythic figure who is more responsible than most for the American experiment in democracy and civil rights.
One of the most important figures in early American history (and indeed, in American history generally), Thomas Jefferson has long been a figure of intense political and historical research. Every American knows his name, and for many, he is practically a mythic figure who is more responsible than most for the American experiment in democracy and civil rights.
Legally Wed: Same-Sex Marriage and the Constitution
The legal validity of gay marriage has become an important topic in recent years, one that may outstrip abortion as one that both defines and drives the culture wars in America. Supporters of gay marriage see it as a crucial step in equal rights; conservative Christians see it as a sign of the downfall of Christian civilization. What will happen and whose perspective will prevail?
The legal validity of gay marriage has become an important topic in recent years, one that may outstrip abortion as one that both defines and drives the culture wars in America. Supporters of gay marriage see it as a crucial step in equal rights; conservative Christians see it as a sign of the downfall of Christian civilization. What will happen and whose perspective will prevail?
Shouting Fire: Civil Liberties in a Turbulent Age
In America the discussion over the relationship between public security and civil rights has reached new heights as the American government attempts to strike a new balance between protecting citizens against terrorism and protecting citizens against excessive government power. This discussion, however, raises the important questions about just what rights are and where they come from.
In America the discussion over the relationship between public security and civil rights has reached new heights as the American government attempts to strike a new balance between protecting citizens against terrorism and protecting citizens against excessive government power. This discussion, however, raises the important questions about just what rights are and where they come from.
Free for All: Defending Liberty in America Today
It is often argued that the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, forever changed American society. However, a stronger argument can be made for the idea that the response of the American government to those attacks has made even greater changes - by systematically undermining American civil liberties. Which is worse, the disease or the so-called cure?
It is often argued that the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, forever changed American society. However, a stronger argument can be made for the idea that the response of the American government to those attacks has made even greater changes - by systematically undermining American civil liberties. Which is worse, the disease or the so-called cure?
Brown v Board of Education: Caste, Culture, and the Constitution
Lists of truly ground-breaking and culture-changing decisions by the United States Supreme Court are generally pretty short. For all the decisions handed down every decade, few are of first-rank significance. There is no doubt that, among them, the collection of cases known as Brown v. Board of Education must be included near the top.
Lists of truly ground-breaking and culture-changing decisions by the United States Supreme Court are generally pretty short. For all the decisions handed down every decade, few are of first-rank significance. There is no doubt that, among them, the collection of cases known as Brown v. Board of Education must be included near the top.
Created Equal: Why Gay Rights Matter to America
Should heterosexual Americans even care about the rights of gays? Michael Nava and Robert Dawidoff argue well that the movement for gay rights is of fundamental importance to the continuing maintenance and growth of individual liberties of all Americans.
Should heterosexual Americans even care about the rights of gays? Michael Nava and Robert Dawidoff argue well that the movement for gay rights is of fundamental importance to the continuing maintenance and growth of individual liberties of all Americans.
Last Night in Paradise: Sex and Morals
Although I never had the good fortune to meed Katie while I myself was at Princeton, I have very much enjoyed both this book and her earlier work, "The Morning After: Sex, Fear and Feminism". She has a great talent of cutting through all of the double-talk and hidden agendas which typify discussions about sex and sexuality in America, giving a clear analysis of what is really going on.
Although I never had the good fortune to meed Katie while I myself was at Princeton, I have very much enjoyed both this book and her earlier work, "The Morning After: Sex, Fear and Feminism". She has a great talent of cutting through all of the double-talk and hidden agendas which typify discussions about sex and sexuality in America, giving a clear analysis of what is really going on.
How Democratic Is the American Constitution?
Americans are proud of their democracy and the Constitution - so much so, in fact, that they often act as though both were the best examples of their species in the entire world. Is this justified or merely hubris? America may have created the first democratic constitution of the modern era, but isn't there something to be said for more recent developments?
Americans are proud of their democracy and the Constitution - so much so, in fact, that they often act as though both were the best examples of their species in the entire world. Is this justified or merely hubris? America may have created the first democratic constitution of the modern era, but isn't there something to be said for more recent developments?