We the People

A Progressive Reading of the Constitution for the Twenty-First Century

By: Erwin Chemerinsky

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Worried about what a super-conservative majority on the Supreme Court means for the future of civil liberties? From gun control to reproductive health, a conservative court will reshape the lives of all Americans for decades to come. The time to develop and defend a progressive vision of the US Constitution that protects the rights of all people is now.

University of California Berkeley Dean and respected legal scholar Erwin Chemerinsky expertly exposes how conservatives are using the Constitution to advance their own agenda that favors business over consumers and employees and government power over individual rights.

But exposure is not enough. Progressives have spent too much of the last 45 years trying to preserve the legacy of the Warren Court's most important rulings and reacting to the Republican-dominated Supreme Courts by criticizing their erosion of rights - but have not yet developed a progressive vision for the Constitution itself. Yet, if we just look to the promise of the Preamble - liberty and justice for all - and take seriously its vision, a progressive reading of the Constitution can lead us forward as we continue our fight ensuring democratic rule, effective government, justice, liberty, and equality.

©2018 Erwin Chemerinsky (P)2018 Tantor

Powerful tools for evaluating the Supreme Court

Mr. Chemerinsky has written the textbook about the Constitution most widely used by law students. His book “We the People” should be read by everybody else, including people who do not consider themselves progressives but believe it’s important to understand diverse arguments about how the Supreme Court does and should make decisions. The book provides powerful tools for assessing those arguments. Using these tools makes it much easier to understand and judge the Court.

Great points with facts to back them up!

The book was very easy to comprehend. You could be any level of expertise when it comes to the Constitution and still learn from this author. The author has credibility as well as knowledge of the topic with facts to back up his claims. Well done.

Reading the constitution from a progressive view

This is a terrific exploration of the US Constitution written by progressive law professor Erwin Chemerinsky. I've now endeavord to read all his books, and am in the middle of his 1700 page tome on Constitutional Law. I am not a lawyer, but he is a brilliant writer about a fascinating and important topic.

Very compelling analysis of the US constitution

I think reading this book gave a better understanding of how the US Supreme Court is shaping the way to live in America. Meaning the future of the country is defined open interpretation in f the constitution by few justices.

every American should read and/or listen.

great approach on history of constitutional jurisprudence and arguments on how to better serve the people. you won't regret this book.