"The Original Constitution and Its Decline: A Public Choice Perspective" by John O. McGinnis
 

Publication Date

Fall 1997

Journal

Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy

Abstract

Public choice offers an analysis of the Constitution that is broadly consonant with an important aspect of the Framers' own approach. The Framers' values were those largely of the Scottish enlightenment: they believed in progress of civilization-the accumulation of wealth and knowledge. In order to create a structure of society that would accomplish these ends, they relied on another Enlightenment axiom, namely that man is an object of natural science. By understanding the predictable manner in which individuals are likely to behave in given situations, the Framers could shape a constitution that would channel their behavior to meet their Enlightenment goals.

Volume

21

Issue

1

First Page

195

Last Page

210

Publisher

Harvard Society for Law & Public Policy, Inc.

Keywords

Constitutional Law, Politics (General), International Law, Economics Law

Disciplines

Constitutional Law | International Law | Law | Law and Economics | Law and Politics

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