Constitutional Politics in the States: Contemporary Controversies and Historical Patterns

by G. Alan Tarr

The reliance on state declarations of rights to expand rights protections during the last two decades has highlighted the political importance of state constitutions. Yet, throughout American history up to the present day, state constitutions have been the battleground for fundamental political conflicts. This edited volume analyzes the efforts of various groups to achieve their ends via constitutional revision and constitutional amendments, examines the responses to controversial state constitutional rulings, and assesses the consequences of constitutional politics on substantive state policy.

246 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 1996