Simone Lawson
In an era of political turbulence and constitutional debate, Kim Wehle's How to Read the Constitution and Why is an essential guide for every citizen who wants to understand the foundational document that shapes our daily lives. With clarity and insight, Wehle demystifies the complexities of the Constitution, breaking down its articles, amendments, and principles without the jargon that often intimidates the uninitiated. This book is not just for legal scholars or history buffs; it's for anyone who wants to grasp the rights and responsibilities conferred upon them by this living document. Wehle's engaging narrative enlightens and empowers readers to actively participate in our democracy, making this book a crucial read in forging a more informed citizenry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Kim Wehle |
| Author's occupation | Lawyer, law professor, legal contributor for ABC News, author, and former Assistant United States Attorney |
| Author's publications | The Atlantic, Politico, The Bulwark, and The Hill |
| Date of publication | 25 June 2019 |
| Number of pages | 264 or 353 |
| Genre | Non-fiction, history, politics, law, political science |
| Target audience | Anyone who wants to understand the US Constitution, regardless of political party |
| Main purpose | To explain the US Constitution in simple terms and why it is important for Americans to know about it |
| Topics covered | The powers of the President, the three branches of government, individual rights (including free speech, the right to bear arms, the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the right to an abortion) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The importance of understanding the Constitution
The Constitution is the most significant document in America, and it is essential that all Americans understand how it works and what it means for them. In her book, "How to Read the Constitution—and Why," legal expert and educator Kim Wehle makes a compelling case for why every citizen should strive to understand the Constitution.
Firstly, the Constitution is a foundational document that shapes our daily lives. It is not just an academic exercise; it is a living text that impacts every American's life. By understanding the Constitution, citizens can grasp the rights and responsibilities conferred upon them. They can also protect their rights, hold their leaders accountable, and ensure the proper functioning of democracy. The Constitution provides the framework for all governmental actions and defines the boundaries of governmental power. It is essential for recognizing the balance of power and the safeguards against tyranny.
Secondly, Wehle argues that the Constitution's protections are eroding, and Americans need to heed this "red flag" moment in our democracy. The Constitution is being undermined not only in express terms but also by the many legal and social norms that no longer support its legitimacy. If Americans do not step in to protect the Constitution now, we may lose its protections forever. This includes essential individual rights such as free speech, the right to bear arms, the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the right to an abortion.
Lastly, understanding the Constitution is crucial for maintaining an informed and engaged citizenry. Wehle's book empowers readers to actively participate in our democracy, making it a crucial tool for forging a more informed and engaged society. In an era of political turbulence and constitutional debate, "How to Read the Constitution—and Why" is an essential guide for citizens eager to understand their rights and responsibilities.
Abolitionists' Strategy: Constitution to Fight Slavery
You may want to see also
The powers of the President
In her book, "How to Read the Constitution—and Why", Kimberly Wehle, a law professor and constitutional scholar, provides an insightful and urgent handbook that covers nearly every significant aspect of the Constitution. One of the key topics she addresses is the powers of the President.
Wehle highlights the importance of understanding the separation of powers and how the three branches of government—the legislative, executive, and judicial branches—are designed to hold each other accountable. She emphasizes that the Constitution does not put a single person in charge, instead, it establishes a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch has too much power.
One of the President's primary sources of power is the ability to issue executive orders, which are written policy directives that carry the force of federal law. While the Constitution does not explicitly mention executive orders, they are accepted as an inherent aspect of presidential power. The President's authority to issue executive orders stems from the Constitution and the powers granted by Congress. This was affirmed in the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952) Supreme Court decision, where Justice Hugo Black stated that "The President's power, if any, to issue the order must stem either from an act of Congress or from the Constitution itself."
Additionally, the President has broad powers in areas such as the control and operation of the federal government, federal agencies, and foreign affairs. For example, the President can suspend the entry of aliens or a particular class of aliens if deemed detrimental to the interests of the United States. The President is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, further emphasizing their role in foreign affairs and national security.
Wehle also discusses how the interpretation of the Constitution and the makeup of the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) impact the powers of the President. She notes that the current President has selected conservative justices, which can lead to downstream issues and conflict between the court and the will of the people.
Constitution and Declaration: Shared Ideals, Different Functions
You may want to see also
The three branches of government
The US Constitution divides the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. This separation of powers ensures that no individual or group has too much power. Each branch has its own powers and responsibilities, and they work together to govern effectively and protect citizens' rights.
The legislative branch, also known as Congress, is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It is responsible for making laws, declaring war, regulating interstate and foreign commerce, and controlling taxing and spending policies. This branch also includes various special agencies and offices that provide support services to Congress.
The executive branch is led by the President, who is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. This branch also includes the Vice President and the President's advisors, as well as various departments and agencies. The executive branch is responsible for enforcing the laws created by the legislative branch.
The judicial branch, also known as the federal judiciary, is responsible for interpreting the laws. It includes the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the country, and lower federal courts located in each state. The Supreme Court consists of nine justices who interpret laws according to the Constitution and only hear cases pertaining to constitutional issues.
America's Constitutional Values: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Individual rights
The book "How to Read the Constitution—and Why" by legal expert and educator Kim Wehle is a valuable resource for understanding the Constitution and its significance in everyday language. One of the critical topics it covers is individual rights, which are protected under the constitutional amendments.
The First Amendment, as described in the book, protects not only free speech but also the individual freedom of thought. This distinction between "freedom" and "right" is highlighted in the First and Second Amendments. While the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, the Second Amendment explicitly states the "right of the people to keep and bear arms" without using the word "freedom."
The book also discusses the Fourth Amendment, which safeguards individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures of their persons or property by the government. Additionally, the Fifth Amendment provides several protections for those accused of crimes, including the right against self-incrimination and the right to due process of law. The Sixth Amendment further enhances these protections by guaranteeing a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and the right to confront witnesses and present one's defence.
The right to an abortion is also mentioned in the book as a crucial aspect of individual rights. Other unenumerated rights retained by the people, according to the Ninth Amendment, include the rights to travel, political affiliation, and privacy. The Tenth Amendment reinforces that any powers not explicitly delegated to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people.
Kim Wehle, a law professor and constitutional scholar, wrote this book to empower "We the People" to protect and defend the Constitution. She emphasises the urgency of understanding the Constitution and the implications of its erosion in a democratic context.
The Constitution's Peaceful Transfer of Power Clause
You may want to see also
Why the Constitution is important today
In her book "How to Read the Constitution—and Why", Kim Wehle, a legal expert, educator, and professor of law, makes a compelling case for why the Constitution remains important today.
The Constitution is the most significant document in America, and Wehle argues that it is imperative for every American to understand its principles and provisions. By doing so, citizens can protect their rights, hold their leaders accountable, and ensure the proper functioning of democracy. The Constitution provides the framework for all governmental actions and defines the boundaries of governmental power. It outlines the powers of the President and the three branches of government, which are designed to hold each other accountable.
Wehle also highlights how the Constitution's protections are eroding, and how this threatens individual freedoms. These protections include free speech, the right to bear arms, the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the right to an abortion. She argues that if Americans do not step in to protect the Constitution now, they could lose its protections forever.
In an era of political turbulence and constitutional debate, Wehle's book provides an essential guide for citizens to understand the complexities of the Constitution and its relevance in their daily lives. It empowers readers to actively participate in democracy and make informed decisions.
Therefore, the Constitution remains important today as it provides the foundation for governmental actions, safeguards individual rights, and ensures a functional and fair democracy. Understanding the Constitution enables citizens to protect their liberties and hold their leaders accountable.
Dream Realized? The Constitution and Our Founders' Vision
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The book is an insightful, urgent, and perennially relevant handbook that lays out in common sense language how the United States Constitution works and how its protections are eroding.
The book is written by Kimberly Wehle, an author, lawyer, law professor, and legal contributor for ABC News. She is also a former Assistant United States Attorney and Associate Independent Counsel in the Whitewater Investigation.
The book covers nearly every significant aspect of the Constitution, from the powers of the President and the three branches of government to what it means to have individual rights, including free speech, the right to bear arms, and the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.
