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Unfounded Fears Myths and Realities of a Constitutional Convention
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Paul J. Weber, Barbara Perry
Foreword by Henry J. Abraham
Book Code: B3347
ISBN: 0-275-93347-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-275-93347-0
189 pages, tables
Praeger Paperback
Publication: 11/16/1989
List Price: $23.95 (UK Sterling Price: £13.95)
Availability: Print on demand
Media Type: Paperback
Subjects:
Description: Since the first and only constitutional convention in 1787, twenty-six amendments have been adopted to our basic document, but not one of them became law by virtue of the "convention method." Despite more than 400 applications, no constitutional convention has been called in 202 years. Indeed it was James Madison who wrote, "Having witnessed the difficulties and dangers experienced by the first Convention I should tremble for the result of a Second." In Unfounded Fears: Myths and Realities of a Constitutonal Convention, Weber and Perry present a balanced, scholarly look on this controversial topic and introduce surprising conclusions. Weber and Perry seek to determine if, in fact, the first convention was a "runaway," as common wisdom hold, and they look at the process by which the convention was called. They also review the attempts since 1787 to call a second constitutional convention, and they use this chapter to confront many of the questions that are raised about a potential convention, including the process for electing delegates and the ability of the legislature to establish and control the procedures and substance of what a convention does. In their final chapter, they reflect on the realities of a balanced budget amendment.
Table of Contents:
  • Foreword by Henry J. Abraham
  • Introduction
  • Did the First Convention Run Away
  • Madison's Opposition to a Second Convention
  • The History of Attempts to Call a Constitutional Conventional
  • What State Conventions Can Teach Us
  • The Constitutional Convention: A Safe Political Option
  • Reflections on a Balanced Budget Amendment
  • Appendixes
  • Selected Bibliography
  • Index
LC Card Number: 89-8479
LCC Class: KF4555
Dewey Class: 342.73
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