Aside from the Constitution itself; there is no more important document in American politics and law than the Federalist Papers—the series of pamphlets written by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison to explain the meaning of the proposed Constitution to the American people and persuade them of its importance. These papers provide a window into the framers’ thoughts on the most divisive issues of American government—the powers of the President; the dividing line between Congress’s authority and that of the states; the role of the Supreme Court; and the importance of the Bill of Rights. Liberty’s Blueprint offers an essential introduction to how the Federalist Papers were written; the philosophical thinking that shaped the Constitution; how the framers meant the various clauses to be understood; and why they are still vitally important today.
#2371479 in Books 2000-01-01 2000-01-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .83 x 5.34l; #File Name: 0452278732336 pages
Review
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful. A thoughtful; candid; well-written book about integrationBy John P. RyanThis is a distinctive book about race and; in particular; the failures of integration in the United States. American University communications professors Leonard Steinhorn and Barbara Diggs-Brown document and discuss black-white relations; drawing upon social science scholarship; the media and popular culture; and their own personal experiences. The authors talk about integration and segregation not only in schools and the workplace; but also in worship; leisure; and recreational pursuits. In doing so; they provide a well-rounded but perhaps even more dismal assessment (than others) of the failures of formal; legal efforts to achieve both equality and integration.Drawing upon their varied professional experiences; they argue that the media has helped to foster an illusion of integration. In particular; they point to the typically diverse casting of on-air television news reporters at the national and local level that suggest an interpersonal racial ease only rarely achieved. The more common view; they argue; is a society where black and white people may work together [if mostly on unequal terms]; but then pass each other like ships in the night on the way home to neighborhoods that are overwhelmingly white or black. Their analysis is especially significant for large northeastern and midwestern cities; where black-white relations mostly define the race landscape.In the end; this book challenges scholars and citizens alike to reflect honestly on our values; our residential choices; and personal practices; not just on rhetoric. Steinhorn and Diggs-Brown show us that a commitment to integration requires hard work and difficult choices; both at the personal and community levels; in ways that national rhetoric about race misses.12 of 14 people found the following review helpful. Superb. Honest; direct and well-writtenBy Vaughn A. CarneyThe subject of race provokes more deceit; denial and dishonesty than any other issue in American life. The authors of this book explore the reality-versus-image dichotomy more analytically than any other work I've read. And they're right on the money with respect to affirmative action; which was developed as a counter-weight to racism; and those critics who declare that it gives rise to white resentment. This position is akin to using an experimental treatment for cancer; and then declaring that the treatment CAUSED the cancer. It is well settled that there was white resentment long before the words "affirmative" and "action" were ever used in the same sentence. This book should be required reading at every college in America.4 of 6 people found the following review helpful. wish they weren't right...By lubugThis is a book that I read for a while; then put down; read; and put down. I didn't WANT the authors to be right. I was born in the "we shall overcome" '60s; am still getting over the whiplash from R. Reagan's "anecdotes" about "welfare mothers" (people who gave birth to welfare???) and G. Bush I's disgusting Willie Horton spectacle. It has been a couple of decades I am still hoping that it is just a blip. But of course it isn't.But my local paper; the Minneapolis Star-Tribune; had this story last week: The report by the African American Men Project found that in 2000: *About 44 percent of all black men in Hennepin County between the ages of 18 and 30 were arrested and booked into jail during the year. *49 percent lived in one of Minneapolis' poorest and most unsafe neighborhoods. *47 percent were being raised by single mothers. *28 percent finished high school in four years.The evidence shows that we ARE two countries; separate and unequal. And Diggs-Brown and Steinhorn show that maybe separate and equal are better than what we have now. Their examples of a few settings that are carefully managed to become stay integrated are enlightening. It can be done; but it sure does take a strong will. The majority of whites; while seeing themselves as decent people; have a poor knowledge of history and don't follow politics. They don't have the will the commitment to create more integrated communities if the price is higher taxes and constant vigilance.One thing I was puzzled about; though; was that they did not address what is clearly an increased rate of intermarriage among blacks and whites during the 1990s. How was that happening while housing in general remained dismally segregated?As to the comment in another review that Latinos Asians should have been included; I don't agree. This book examines the peculiar; sad story of how African-Americans; as a group; came to be in such a bind in this country. Their story is distinctive and troubling and deserves examination on its own.I don't want these authors to be right. But I thank them for making me think hard thoughts.
