Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Law Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 6 of 6

Full-Text Articles in Law

The Structural Constitutional Principle Of Republican Legitimacy, Mark D. Rosen Dec 2012

The Structural Constitutional Principle Of Republican Legitimacy, Mark D. Rosen

William & Mary Law Review

Democracy does not spontaneously occur by citizens gathering to choose laws. Instead, representative democracy takes place within an extensive legal framework that determines such matters as who gets to vote, how campaigns are conducted, and what conditions must be met for representatives to make valid law. Many of the “rules of the road” that operationalize republicanism have been subject to constitutional challenges in recent decades. For example, lawsuits have been brought against partisan gerrymandering—which is partly responsible for the fact that most congressional districts are no longer party competitive, but instead are either safely Republican or safely Democratic—and against onerous …


Spandrel Or Frankenstein's Monster? The Vices And Virtues Of Retrofitting In American Law, Michael C. Dorf Dec 2012

Spandrel Or Frankenstein's Monster? The Vices And Virtues Of Retrofitting In American Law, Michael C. Dorf

William & Mary Law Review

No abstract provided.


A Clarification Of The Constitution's Application Abroad: Making The "Impracticable And Anomalous" Standard More Practicable And Less Anomalous, Jesse Merriam Nov 2012

A Clarification Of The Constitution's Application Abroad: Making The "Impracticable And Anomalous" Standard More Practicable And Less Anomalous, Jesse Merriam

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

No abstract provided.


Democratic Inclusion, Cognitive Development, And The Age Of Electoral Majority, Vivian E. Hamilton Jul 2012

Democratic Inclusion, Cognitive Development, And The Age Of Electoral Majority, Vivian E. Hamilton

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


"Worse Than The Disease": The Anti-Corruption Principle, Free Expression, And The Democratic Process, Martin H. Redish, Elana Nightingale Dawson May 2012

"Worse Than The Disease": The Anti-Corruption Principle, Free Expression, And The Democratic Process, Martin H. Redish, Elana Nightingale Dawson

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

No abstract provided.


The Indefensible Duty To Defend, Neal Devins, Saikrishna B. Prakash Apr 2012

The Indefensible Duty To Defend, Neal Devins, Saikrishna B. Prakash

Faculty Publications

Modern Justice Department opinions insist that the executive branch must enforce and defend laws. In the first article to systematically examine Department of Justice refusals to defend, we make four points. First, the duties to enforce and defend lack any sound basis in the Constitution. Hence, while President Obama is right to refuse to defend the Defense of Marriage Act, he is wrong to continue to enforce a law he believes is unconstitutional. Second, rather than being grounded in the Constitution, the duties are better explained by the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) desire to enhance its independence and status. By …