James Madison's Constitution

In James Madison's Constitution Eric T. Kasper and Howard Schweber have assembled a roster of ten prominent contributors to excavate Madison’s thinking about key concepts and issues over questions of what the Constitution requires permits and prohibits. Madison’s key role at the Constitution’s drafting was instrumental in forging the document into what it is today. . In many areas the modern Constitution still reflects Madison’s conception and design. In other areas however the Constitution as it emerged in a final text?and as it has been amended and interpreted to the present day?does not always conform to Madison’s vision. Nevertheless examining Madison’s thinking across a range of constitutional issues has much to offer for understanding our nation’s primary governing document today. Indeed there are great disagreements among jurists policymakers journalists academics and the general public about how to interpret the Constitution and what various clauses mean. Frequently Madison is cited as a source on both sides of political scholarly and legal debates over the meaning of various constitutional provisions. . CONTRIBUTORS: Jeff Broadwater Paul Finkelman Zachary K. German Alan R. Gibson Jack N. Rakove David J. Siemers Quentin P. Taylor George Thomas Lynn Uzzell and Michael P. Zuckert