The Bill of Rights in Modern America

Informed by a historical perspective, this volume features essays that focus on contemporary issues and explore the understanding of the Bill of Rights. These essays include: "Rights Consciousness in American History"; "The Explosion and Erosion of Rights"; "Symbolic Speech and the First Amendment"; and more.

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"The Bicentennial of the Bill of Rights" is an occasion for celebration. It is also an opportunity to review the role of the Bill of Rights in American life and constitutional order. The essays in this volume, informed by a historical perspective, focus on contemporary issues and explore the current understanding of the Bill of Rights. The essays and the contributors are: "Rights Consciousness in American History," Daniel T. Rodgers; "The Explosion and Erosion of Rights," Gary L. McDowell; "Symbolic Speech and the First Amendment," Paul L. Murphy; "Church and State: The Religion Clauses," Melvin I. Urofsky; "Public Safety and the Right to Bear Arms," Robert J. Cottrol and Raymond T. Diamond; "The Enigmatic Place of Property Rights in Modern Constitutional Thought," James W. Ely, Jr.; "Reversing the Revolution: Rights of the Accused in a Conservative Age," David J. Bodenhamer; "Police Practices and the Bill of Rights," Laurence A. Benner and Michal R. Belknap; "The 'Cruel and Unusual Punishment' Clause: A Limit on the Power to Punish or Constitutional Rhetoric!," Joseph L.
Hoffmann; "Equal Protection and Affirmative Action," Hermal Belz; "A Ninth Amendment for Today's Constitution," Randy E. Barnett; and "Of Floors and Ceilings: The New Federalism and State Bills of Rights," Kermit L. Hall.