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Our Undemocratic Constitution: Where the Constitution Goes Wrong (And How We the People Can Correct It) 1st Edition

by Sanford Levinson (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 80 ratings
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Levinson argues that too many of our Constitution's provisions promote either unjust or ineffective government. Under the existing blueprint, we can neither rid ourselves of incompetent presidents nor assure continuity of government following catastrophic attacks. Less important, perhaps, but certainly problematic, is the appointment of Supreme Court judges for life. Adding insult to injury, the United States Constitution is the most difficult to amend or update of any constitution currently existing in the world today. Democratic debate leaves few stones unturned, but we tend to take our basic constitutional structures for granted. Levinson boldly challenges the American people to undertake a long overdue public discussion on how they might best reform this most hallowed document and construct a constitution adequate to our democratic values.

"Admirably gutsy and unfashionable."
--Michael Kinsley, The New York Times

"Bold, bracingly unromantic, and filled with illuminating insights. He accomplishes an unlikely feat, which is to make a really serious argument for a new constitutional convention, one that is founded squarely on democratic ideals."
--Cass R. Sunstein, The New Republic

"Everyone who cares about how our government works should read this thoughtful book."
--Washington Lawyer
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  1. ISBN-10
    0195365577
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0195365573
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    March 7, 2008
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    0.7 x 9.1 x 6 inches
  8. Print length
    272 pages
  9. See all details
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Customers find the book engaging and thought-provoking. They praise the writing quality as well-crafted and concise, presenting valid points in an objective manner.

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8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and important. They appreciate the interesting points and objective viewpoints.

"Great book! I just devoured it in a few hours...." Read more

"...I used it as the textbook for my polo sci class. Great book." Read more

"...Levinson does pose some interesting and valid points but to the objective or conservative reader the constant Bush bashing makes getting through..." Read more

"Haven't read it yet, but i've heard from other people that it's a great read. I'll find out sooner or later when i get to reading it. :) [..." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's writing quality. They find it well-written and thoughtful, with the author doing a good job of getting readers to think. The writing is concise and reasoned.

"...They were lurking in wait and now haunt us severely. This well written book would have been scary when it came into print...." Read more

"Echoing other positive reviewers, I found the book well-written and thoughtful despite the fact that I don't agree with all Professor Levinson's..." Read more

"...The author does a great job of getting his readers to think about the Constitution rather than just accepting it as the best way to run a democracy." Read more

"-Levinson writes frankly and concisely, presenting reasoned considerations for constitutional reform...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Brian Mulconrey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Written In The Spirit of Thomas Jefferson
    Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    Great book! I just devoured it in a few hours. Levinson reminds us that at the age of 73, Thomas Jefferson noted that "some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence and treat them like the Ark of the Covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human, and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment." Jefferson also suggested that we should "think about" revising the constitution about every 19 years to coincide with the arrival of a new generation.

    After reading this book I had a palpable sense that our Founding Fathers would be disappointed in our stewardship of their remarkable work. Instead of worshipping the Constitution, we're responsible for maintaining it - during their lifetimes they actively amended the Constitution but they can't do that anymore.

    Today, as we ask Supreme Court justices to extract 21st century meaning from 18th century passages, it helps to have courageous visionaries like Sanford Levinson remind us that "We" are still "the People."
    32 people found this helpful
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  • Judy Erde
    5.0 out of 5 stars More Frightening Now: It Ain’t Just Theory
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Although written before our current problems with elections, officials’ legally questionable actions and failures are shown to be latent in the structure of the Constitution. They were lurking in wait and now haunt us severely. This well written book would have been scary when it came into print. It is now more frightening since we can identify the damage and suffering it shouted about.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Plumb
    4.0 out of 5 stars An unfinished work
    Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2012
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    Echoing other positive reviewers, I found the book well-written and thoughtful despite the fact that I don't agree with all Professor Levinson's specific criticisms of the Constitution nor some of the changes he indicates he would favor. It does seem clear that it is past time to evaluate the work of the Founding Fathers and make changes based on our real-world experience with their handiwork. My main disappointment is that Professor Levinson evidently gave up. The last entry on the blog he references in the book is in 2008. No groundswell arose for a Constitutional Convention which he hoped for in 2008, so that's it? A bit of a let-down.
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  • Mike Silva
    5.0 out of 5 stars A difficult but very important read for anyone who truly believes in the democratic process.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    the author presses hard for what is seemingly but quite necessary, that is, a constitutional convention to fix the Constitution where he clearly shows that it is out of whack.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jim Bruner
    3.0 out of 5 stars There is another reason why the Constitution goes wrong
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    As another reviewer wrote, the problem with the book may be that it was written by a lawyer in the style of law-school teaching. I recommend another book, Life Without Lawyers, by Philip K. Howard. At a "town hall" conducted by my state senator a few years ago, I told her that the state legislature would be much improved if every member had an engineer (like me, of course) at his/her elbow. The U.S. Constitution was a good (but highly imperfect) start in 1789, but subsequent generations of lawmakers have since ruined all that was initially good about it and added more stuff that is imperfect at best. Every one of those lawmakers had a bunch of lawyers (and lobbyists) at his/her disposal, but paid little or no attention to scientists, engineers, logisticians, or any other professionals who weren't tainted by the presence of a lawyer on a corporate retainer (either officially or covertly).
    Levinson wrote another book: Framed: Our 51 constitutions and the Crisis of Governance, and he again missed the point, which IMHO is that no state constitution is aligned with any other constitution. None of them is worth a hoot, anyway, because the lawyers have screwed them all up at the bidding of the richest 1%. The American people in general are a flock of sheep waiting to be shorn.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Brandon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Text book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I wish it had the afterword in it. I used it as the textbook for my polo sci class. Great book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • James F. Chase
    1.0 out of 5 stars Constitution or Condemnation?
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    This book was merely a reactionary's response to the presidency of George Bush and his utter disdain towards the Republican party. To his credit, Levinson rather unabashedly admits as much. Before purchasing this book, the reader should consider this question: Would I consider a book by Glenn Beck to be a legitimate text that is required reading for a class on the Constitution? How about Bill O'Reilly?
    Levinson does pose some interesting and valid points but to the objective or conservative reader the constant Bush bashing makes getting through this book a grueling experience.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Karen L. Vandusen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    Eveyone, especially those who live in densely populated states, should read this book. The author does a great job of getting his readers to think about the Constitution rather than just accepting it as the best way to run a democracy.
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Mystery Shopper
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I was greatly impressed by Levinson's evident passion and admiration for the US Constitution, whilst seeking to argue its flaws. Levinson discusses problems with the Article V amendment process, Presidential fixed terms, and Judicial Appointments among others.

    Levinson's historical analysis shows that many of his same criticisms were made when the Constitution was being drafted. But there was far less concern with its flaws in 1787. After all, it was a document designed to last no greater than 19 years (Jefferson), drafted for a population a hundred times smaller than today.

    Particularly useful for me (writing a dissertation on comparative constitutional theory and practice - between British flexibility and American rigidity) were Levinson's 'American observations' on British law and politics, providing practical examples of where and how the British Constitution (rather surprisingly) provides greater democratic protection than its American counterpart. All in all, an excellent read.
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  • Mr John Hodgson
    5.0 out of 5 stars The need for reform
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I learnt a lot from the book , as a British reader first influenced by the making of the president. I also believe all the issues are relevant , as concerns a democratic government with meaningful roles for the legislature, the executive and the executive. As another starting point, I would suggest focusing on why the separation of powers was embraced in the eighteenth century. In a time of corvid19, the illusory, but also ethical, nature of political choice , demands debate. As also the call to a hopefully neutral science which is sadly lacking.
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