Tag Archives: constitutionalism

Briefly Noted: That “Office of the President-Elect” Thing is a Disgrace (cf. Federalist 70)

This is a rant. Do I think anything bad will actually happen because of this stupid office? Not really. Do I think it is a good thing? NO. I’m not saying this to be anti-Obama. He will be my President, and I’m happy to have a President.  Furthermore, this terrible idea of an “Office of …

November 8, 2008 – 7:02 pm | By ashok | Posted in politics | Tagged , , , | Comments (9)

On a Section of Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist 84 (Part 2): What is a Proper Sense of Right?

Part 1 – Part 2 – Federalist 84 itself Paragraph 7. Hamilton notes that even though the State constitution talks about “common law” and precedent, the legislature in New York holds ultimate sway, and perhaps New Yorkers have fewer rights than they think they have. Paragraph 8. The first step in arguing that a “bill …

April 1, 2008 – 5:09 am | By ashok | Posted in politics | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

On a Section of Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist 84 (Part 1): What exactly is the purpose of a Bill of Rights?

A copy of Federalist 84 for your convenience. My apologies for the length of this – it got out of hand pretty quickly and I thought there was enough here that was important so I published it anyway. Part 1 – Part 2 Paragraphs 1 & 2. Hamilton notes in dealing with “miscellaneous points” regarding …

April 1, 2008 – 2:32 am | By ashok | Posted in politics | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

On the First Paragraph of Federalist 10: From Faction to Freedom to Property

Federalist 9 was discussed earlier in this blog; the complete text of Federalist 10 is here. I am only writing on the first paragraph of Federalist 10, and this may undergo major revision later. I’m not sure about a few of my arguments – 1. On the significance of faction: Madison begins by setting up …

February 14, 2008 – 6:55 am | By ashok | Posted in politics | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

"Stupendous Fabrics:" Notes on Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist No. 9

Outline Federalist 9 begins by stating “a firm Union will be of the utmost moment to the peace and liberty of the States, as a barrier against domestic faction and insurrection.” After that opening, and an initial barrage against the “petty republics of Greece and Italy” which never had a stable peace, there are 10 …

January 29, 2008 – 4:09 pm | By ashok | Posted in politics | Tagged , , | Comments (6)

Forms and Formalities Regarding the American Constitution

Mansfield aims to defend the Constitution against the slights and scorns of political and social science and, especially, to restore respect for its forms and formalities…. Mansfield argues that while the Constitution is a means to ends outside itself, its forms include an end – self-government – that deserves our loyalty even when it is …

June 29, 2007 – 4:04 am | By ashok | Posted in politics | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

The Presidency and the Constitution, revisited

What is below are just glorified notes I made on what I’m reading currently: the article is “American Constitutionalism and the Virtue of Prudence,” by George Anastaplo, if you care. I sing what was lost and dread what was won,I walk in a battle fought over again,My king a lost king, and lost soldiers my …

June 14, 2007 – 10:53 am | By ashok | Posted in politics | Tagged , | Comments (0)

5 Things Every American Should Have Before Discussing Politics

I hate lists of this sort: the numeration is arbitrary, and the idea of a “top 5″ list has a particular notoriety. I enjoyed High Fidelity, but still, I felt like a girl for watching it, and the only scene I really enjoyed is when Tim Robbins gets beat up mercilessly.But I want to get …

May 10, 2007 – 3:33 am | By ashok | Posted in education, politics | Tagged , , | Comments (2)