Constitutionalism

About this book

Constitutionalism: Ancient and Modern explores the very roots of liberty by examining the development of modern constitutionalism from its ancient and medieval origins. Derived from a series of lectures delivered by Charles Howard McIlwain at Cornell University in the 1938-39 academic year, these lectures provide a useful introduction to the development of modern constitutional forms. McIlwain explores what he calls "the two fundamental correlative elements of constitutionalism for which all lovers of liberty must yet fight" -- "the legal limits to arbitrary power and a complete political responsibility of government to the governed." Despotic power has risen to challenge constitutional governments in many countries, and within this text, McIlwain shows how constitutional safeguards that have been set against government by force have grown in the Western world. McIlwain also outlines the general principles of constitutionalism, especially as an Anglo-American tradition, and traces its development from the law and custom of the Roman Republic through the English common law to the establishment of Americaʹs constitutional government. -- from http://www.barnesandnoble.com (Oct. 19, 2015).