Constitutional interpretation : the basic questions / Sotirios A. Barber and James E. Fleming.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The presuppositions of constitutional interpretation -- The principal questions of constitutional interpretation -- The principal features of the American constitutional order : the positive constitutionalism of The federalist -- Approaches to constitutional interpretation -- Textualism and consensualism -- Narrow originalism/intentionalism -- Broad originalism -- Structuralism -- Doctrinalism and minimalism -- The philosophic approach -- Pragmatism -- Epilogue: a fusion of approaches to constitutional interpretation.

"What is the nature of the U.S. Constitution? How ought it to be interpreted? Ronald Dworkin famously argued that fidelity in interpreting the Constitution as written calls for a fusion of constitutional law and moral philosophy. Sotirios A. Barber and James E. Fleming take up that call, arguing for a philosophic approach to constitutional interpretation. In doing so, they systematically criticize competing approaches - textualism, consensualism, originalism, structuralism, doctrinalism, minimalism, and pragmatism - that aim and claim to avoid a philosophic approach. They show that none can responsibly avoid philosophic reflection and choice in interpreting the Constitution." "Offering both a succinct overview of approaches to constitutional interpretation and a powerful argument for a philosophic approach, Constitutional Interpretation will be discussed by constitutional scholars and students for years to come."--BOOK JACKET.