Direct Democracy and the Courts

Erscheinungsjahr 2009
ISBN: 978-0-521-74771-4
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 286 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 442 g

Who should have the last word on fundamental policy issues? This book analyzes the rise of two contenders - the people, through direct democracy, and the courts. Now available in nearly half the states, direct democracy has surged in recent decades. Through ballot measures, voters have slashed taxes, mandated government spending, imposed term limits on elected officials, enacted campaign finance reform, barred affirmative action, banned same-sex marriage, and adopted many other controversial laws. In several states, citizens now bypass legislatures to make the most important policy decisions. However, the 'people's rule' is not absolute. This book demonstrates that courts have used an expanding power of judicial review to invalidate citizen-enacted laws at remarkably high rates. The resulting conflict between the people and the courts threatens to produce a popular backlash against judges and raises profound questions about the proper scope of popular sovereignty and judicial power in a constitutional system.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Miller, Kenneth P.

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Systeme Wahlen und Volksabstimmungen
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Systeme Staats- und Regierungsformen, Staatslehre
• Rechtswissenschaften Recht, Rechtswissenschaft Allgemein Rechtspolitik
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Regierungspolitik Innen-, Bildungs- und Bevölkerungspolitik
• Rechtswissenschaften Ausländisches Recht Common Law (UK, USA, Australien u.a.)
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Rechtssoziologie
• Rechtswissenschaften Recht, Rechtswissenschaft Allgemein Rechtssoziologie, Rechtspsychologie, Rechtslinguistik
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Systeme Demokratie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction: a clash of rising powers: Part I. The Quest for Majority Rule: 1. The epic debate; 2. Direct democracy gathers force; Part II. Countering the Majority: 3. The counter-majoritarian power; 4. The courts at work; 5. Conflicts over rights; 6. Conflicts over powers; Part III. The Majority Strikes Back: 7. The people's check on the courts; Conclusion: a new constitutional equilibrium; Appendix.

Über Autor(innen)

Miller, Kenneth P.
Kenneth P. Miller is associate professor of Government at Claremont McKenna College in California. He holds a B.A. from Pomona College, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. His most recent publication is a volume co-edited with Fr?d?rick Douzet and Thad Kousser titled The New Political Geography of California (2008). He has published articles on topics including the initiative process, the recall of California governor Gray Davis, and the federal Voting Rights Act. He has also served as a political analyst in various media outlets, including National Public Radio, BBC World Service Radio, the Los Angeles Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle.