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The Spirit of American Government / A Study Of The Constitution: Its Origin, Influence And / Relation To Democracy cover

The Spirit of American Government / A Study Of The Constitution: Its Origin, Influence And / Relation To Democracy

By J. Allen Smith
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History - AmericanPolitics

About This Book

The author argues that the United States constitutional system is fundamentally reactionary, embedding eighteenth-century checks that limit majority rule and hinder democratic development. He traces their origins in earlier English institutions and the Revolutionary-era settlement, examines difficulties in amendment, analyzes the federal judiciary's de facto veto power, and surveys how structural devices—indirect elections, separated powers, committee practices, and party machinery—have produced undemocratic consequences such as weakened legislative responsibility and obstacles to popular control. The book combines historical narrative and institutional analysis to explain how constitutional design shapes political behavior and limits majority governance.

About the Author

Smith, J. Allen portrait

J. Allen Smith

J. Allen Smith was an American author and political thinker known for his work on the U.S. Constitution and its implications for democracy. His notable book, "The Spirit of American Government: A Study Of The Constitution: Its Origin, Influence And Relation To Democracy," explores the foundational principles of American governance and their impact on democratic ideals. Through his analysis, Smith contributes to the understanding of constitutional development and its relevance in contemporary society, making his work significant for those interested in American political history and constitutional law.

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