Locke, Jefferson and the Justices: Foundations and Failures of the Us Government [Paperback]

George M. Stephens (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1892941961 | ISBN-13: 978-1892941961 | Publication Date: February 2, 2002 | Edition: 1st ed

America's first question to give more power to the individual, or to a central power? set the stage for an ongoing struggle between the Feds, the States and the Citizen. The balance of power is still shifting even in the 21st century. Supreme Court appointments are a major weapon in this struggle. George Stephens shows how far we have departed from the Founders' original intentions. With a Foreword by Newt Gingrich, this book contrasts Hamilton s and Jefferson's views on the role of government and shows how the beliefs of Supreme Court appointees and the actions of Congress shape American democracy.

"This book is about American politics and law; it is also about the roots of the Contract with America.... A logical place to find the intent of the Founders is in Locke, [and] Stephens makes a contribution by highlighting this."
- Newt Gingrich

"Understanding just what motivated and inspired America s founding generation is essential if we are to uproot threats to our liberty. George Stephens appraisal of the thoughts and inspirations of James Madison and Co. is a very welcome addition to our understanding of these remarkable men and times. He shows how unfaithful we have been to their design."
- Donald J. Boudreaux, Chairman and Professor, Department of Economics, George Mason University; former president, Foundation for Economic Education.

"The rule of law is essential to a free society. In this book, George Stephens makes the important argument that a law that shifts with the tides of time and public sentiment is a recipe for tyranny."
- Clint Bolick, Institute for Justice, Washington, DC.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The most attractive feature of George Stephens' new book is his effort to root present-day controversies about property rights, freedom, and the role of government in the great literature of liberty that is America's political heritage. The struggle to liberate our markets and our minds is an old, even an ancient one. Stephens demonstrates that, to prevail in this critical struggle, we must replant the seeds of liberty that John Locke and others found centuries ago and nurture their growth into towering, protective trees of constitutional order." - --John Hood, President, John Locke Foundation

About the Author

George M. Stephens taught economics for several years at North Carolina State University. His post-graduate training includes city planning law, real estate law and constitutional law, all of which bear on the law of property rights, a principal subject of this, his first book. He has written for several magazines and is contributing editor of the Carolina Journal of the John Locke Foundation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Algora Publishing; 1st ed edition (February 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892941961
• ISBN-13: 978-1892941961
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,983,801 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read but Flawed Conclusions, September 3, 2003

By 

Chuck Eby (Fairfax, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Locke, Jefferson and the Justices: Foundations and Failures of the Us Government (Hardcover)

George Stephens' book is a very interesting and informative read, and I enjoyed it quite a bit, but I must disagree with two of his conclusions. First, I see little or no evidence that the United States has experienced a 100 year cycle of moving away from property rights and moving back to them. He uses this cycle hypothesis to show that we are starting a new century of returning to a more Lockean view of property rights, but his evidence is scant and even if true historically, does not necessarily have any bearing on the future.

Secondly, I disagree that this country is returning to a more Lockean view of property rights. Certainly, there have been some Supreme Court decisions that have recovered lost ground in this area, but if you look elsewhere, we are losing property rights quicker than ever. The perpetual growth of federal spending, the eventual nationalization of the health care industry, and the Patriot Act are just some of the many large scale examples of governmental takings that defy the conclusion that our property rights are being restored.

That being said, the book has many redeeming values. It gives a great perspective on how property rights have been diminished in America including key Supreme Court cases with excerpts from the opinions. It is also holds the reader's interest. I had no problem getting to the end of this book.

I would recommend this book to someone interested in the history of property rights in America, but I would take Mr. Stephens' conclusions with a grain of salt.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Locke, Jefferson and the Justices, July 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Locke, Jefferson and the Justices: Foundations and Failures of the Us Government (Hardcover)

This book made me re-evaluate my long-held political feelings, and actually changed a few.