Defending the Filibuster: The Soul of the Senate

by Richard A. Arenberg, Robert B. Dove, Olympia Snowe (Foreword)

Many argue that the Senate filibuster is undemocratic or even unconstitutional. Recent legislative disputes have brought criticism of Senate rules into sharp relief, and demands for abolition or reform of the filibuster have increased. In Defending the Filibuster, a veteran Senate aide and a former Senate Parliamentarian maintain that the filibuster is fundamental to the character of the Senate, protecting the rights of the minority in American politics, assuring stability and deliberation in government, and helping to preserve constitutional principles of checks and balances and separation of powers. Richard A. Arenberg and Robert B. Dove provide an instructive historical overview of the development of Senate rules, describe related procedures and tactics, and argue passionately for measured reforms.
Thoroughly updated to reflect recent events, this edition includes a new chapter recounting the events of 2012 13 that led to the first use of the "nuclear option" to restrict the use of the filibuster for presidential nominations, as well as a new foreword by former US Senator Olympia Snowe. The authors offer a stimulating assessment of the likelihood of further changes in Senate procedure and make their own proposals for reform."

Genres: Politics, Political Science

306 pages, Paperback

First published July 2, 2012

Reviews

[William Halsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first encountered this book while researching sources for a college essay in defense of the filibuster, and was so intrigued by the bit I read through ASU's online library portal that I purchased a copy for personal reading. It's a great account of the filibuster and the context and history surrounding it, as well as an excellent argument for preserving the essence of the filibuster. This book really convinced me that the filibuster is, in a way, the soul of what makes the Senate the world's greatest deliberative body and the cooling saucer of our government. It was well-written, interesting to read, and very informative even if you disagree with the fundamental premise, plus it was a book of bipartisan authorship. I liked how the chapters were all broken down into subheadings that chopped the passage up into nice little specific topic segments. I feel like the book was a little longer than it needed to be, but I didn't study it, so I didn't quite understand everything, but I did learn an awful lot, and it was a great read.

[Oli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a comprehensive explanation of how the filibuster comes into place and the arguments for and against the filibuster. It offers historical sources as well as scholars' debates. The authors are not biased or clouded by personal views when they discuss different arguments. The updates of the recent Senate's adoption of the nuclear option and filibusters make the book up-to-date. I do hope to see more support and the specific steps to take regarding the authors' proposals at the end of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to study the filibuster in the Senate.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

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The book provides an excellent history-in-depth regarding the filibuster and an almost convincing case against major filibuster reform. As the authors note, where you sit is where you stand. This is a book for anyone who cares about the distinctive American expression of representative democracy…you should read it.
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