The Law in Shambles

by Thomas Geoghegan

It's an enduring before there is democracy, there is rule of law. Thomas Geoghegan argues here in his lively pamphlet that as the pillars of the American legal system are crumbling, so too is the American democracy.

Geoghegan convincingly explains how the 2000 presidential election was only the first sign that justice is now driven by party politics. He notes how even lawyers are becoming disillusioned with the law, as federal cases are increasingly determined by whether they are heard by a Bush-appointed judge or a Clinton-appointed judge.

Geoghegan ultimately contends that the sense of disorder in our legal system has never been greater, and we may no longer have the basic civic trust necessary to preserve the rule of law.

Genres: Politics, Law, Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 2005

About the author

Thomas Geoghegan received national attention when he ran as a progressive candidate for Rahm Emanuels congressional seat in 2009 (and was endorsed by Barbara Ehrenreich, James Fallows, Thomas Frank, James K. Galbraith, Hendrik Hertzberg, Alex Kotlowitz, Sara Paretsky, Rick Perlstein, Katha Pollitt, David Sirota, Garry Wills, and Naomi Wolf, among others). He is a practicing attorney and the author of several books, including Which Side Are You On?, which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and received a special citation from the PEN/Martha Albrand Award judges, In Americas Court, and See You in Court. Geoghegan has written for The Nation, the New York Times, and Harpers. He lives in Chicago."

Reviews

[Ananya · Rating 4 out of 5]

reading this felt like listening to a prophecy warning you about the impending doom way after the battle was already fought. has the magical power of making you feel so angry and so vindicated at the same time

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author makes a good argument of the causes for many things that are wrong with the country today. However, his solutions, I think, are probably too simplistic to change the direction in which we are heading. I especially like his idea of changing the way congressional districts are determined. I'm a little scared by the idea of an entire nation using mail ballots. That fear may just stem from living in Cook County.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I keep wanting to downgrade this book for being short and not making sense, but it's too fun.

Geoghegan screams at everyone and everything for not following a somewhat incoherent version of liberalism. The surprising twists of his ire -- both target and reason -- make this "cri de couer" different from your runaday screed. Also, he seems to be in good humor even though it's a jeremiad.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and excellent screed. You may not agree with everything (I didn't), but an excellent retort to today's arguments coming from the right.