Book description
Due to a combination of heightened frustration, moves to skirt the
constitutional process, and a widespread disconnect between the people
and their constitutional "conscience," Lane and Oreskes warn
us our longstanding Democracy is at risk. Together, they examine the
Constitution's history relative to this current crisis, from its
framing to its centuries-long success, including during some of the
country's most turbulent and contentious times, and challenge us to
let this great document work as it was designed-valuing political
process over product. They hold our leaders accountable, calling on
them to stop fanning the flames of division and to respect their
institutional roles. In the final assessment, The Genius of
America asks us to lean on the framers and their experience to
secure our country's wellbeing.
Lane and Oreskes [remind] us of how essential the Constitution is to
our nationhood and why it's important for the country to rekindle the
constitutional conscience as we face the challenges of the twenty-first
century.
Eric Lane is a professor of law at Hofstra
University School of Law, senior fellow at the Brennan Center for
Justice, and the author of several texts on government. He has served
as director of the New York State Commission on Constitutional
Revision, as director of the New York City Charter Revision
Commission, and as counsel to the New York State Senate Democrats.
Michael Oreskes is the executive editor of the
International Herald Tribune. He has served as deputy
managing editor, Washington bureau chief, metropolitan editor, and
national political correspondent for the New York Times.
