The Cambridge Companion to the United States Constitution

Offers an accessible, interdisciplinary, and historically informed introduction to the study of American constitutionalism.

This book will be useful for students and non-specialists who seek a broad, historically grounded introduction to the study of the US constitutional system. The book places present-day constitutional controversies in historical context, and offers insights from a range of disciplines, including history, political science, and law.This Companion provides a broad, historically informed introduction to the study of the US constitutional system. In place of the usual laundry lists of cases, doctrines, and theories, it presents a picture of the constitutional system in action, with separate sections devoted to constitutional principles, organizational structures, and the various legal and extra-legal 'actions' through which litigators and average citizens have attempted to bring about constitutional change. Finally, the volume covers a number of subjects that are rarely discussed in works aimed at a general audience, but which are critical to ensuring that constitutional rights are honored in the day-to-day lives of citizens. These include standing and causes of action, suits against officeholders, and the inner workings of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC). This Companion places present-day constitutional controversies in historical context, and offers insights from a range of disciplines, including history, political science, and law.