Who Called the Constitutional Convention? The Commonwealth of Virginia
The Virginia legislature, not Congress, called the Constitutional Convention.
Who Called the Constitutional Convention? The Commonwealth of Virginia Read More »
Does the Constitution allow impeachment of an ex-President?
You can see how the evidence goes in both directions.
Does the Constitution allow impeachment of an ex-President? Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Justices relied on II research several times this year
U.S. Supreme Court Justices relied explicitly on Independence Institute briefs three times this year. In addition, one Justice awarded Rob Natelson, our Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence, his 20th Supreme Court citation.
U.S. Supreme Court Justices relied on II research several times this year Read More »
Underselling Originalism
Originalism is not a modern invention “[T]he ‘intent of the makers’ had been the lodestar of documentary construction since at least the 1500s.”
Underselling Originalism Read More »
The English tradition of liberty under law is a gift to us all
Britain was the first major country in world history to abolish slavery.
The English tradition of liberty under law is a gift to us all Read More »
Independence Institute helps win court ruling protecting presidential electors
The framers modeled the Electoral College on indirect election systems then prevailing in Scotland and Maryland, in which elector discretion was pivotal.
Independence Institute helps win court ruling protecting presidential electors Read More »
Advocates of American socialism need to learn some lessons
British socialism as promoted by Bernard Shaw and his fellow “Fabians” was perhaps the gentlest form of socialism on the planet. Yet, this passage reads as if it were composed by Hitler.
Advocates of American socialism need to learn some lessons Read More »
The Albany Plan of Union: Another Predecessor to the Constitution
Some of the Plan’s features foreshadowed the Articles of Confederation, some foreshadowed the Constitution, and some foreshadowed both.
The Albany Plan of Union: Another Predecessor to the Constitution Read More »
William Penn’s Charter of Liberties—one of our Constitution’s ancestors
The Charter of Liberties and Frame of Government granted by William Penn to his colony on May 5, 1682 . . . was . . . a true colonial constitution.
William Penn’s Charter of Liberties—one of our Constitution’s ancestors Read More »
Yet another constitutional precedent: a colonial charter from New York
The Charter foreshadowed important provisions in the Bill of Rights.
Yet another constitutional precedent: a colonial charter from New York Read More »
The Pilgrim Code of Law: one of many sources of our American Constitution
In fact, the Constitution was the product of centuries of “guidelines.”
The Pilgrim Code of Law: one of many sources of our American Constitution Read More »
John Dickinson’s ‘Farmer’ Letters on Their 250th Anniversary
The Farmer letters went well beyond asserting the case against taxation without representation; they also helped clarify American constitutional thinking on other questions, including: Which government responsibilities should be exercised centrally and which locally?
John Dickinson’s ‘Farmer’ Letters on Their 250th Anniversary Read More »