No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States

UC-Berkeley law school dean Chemerinsky (A Momentous Year in the Supreme Court) is a prolific critic of the U.S. legal system. His timely book examines the flaws in the Constitution that he blames for the nation’s current political dysfunction. He discusses the antidemocratic nature of the Constitution, its protection of enslavement, and its emphasis on states’ rights. He argues that the U.S. Constitution—created in 1787 by wealthy white landowners—has not evolved to meet the needs of a large and varied population. His book focuses on political changes from the 1960s to the present. It also examines the impact of the electoral college, the U.S. Senate filibuster, gerrymandering in the House of Representatives, Supreme Court decisions, and social media. Since amending the Constitution is a difficult process, he proposes replacing the current document. This path is not easy either, and many fear what might rise in its place. Chemerinsky addresses these concerns and provides a helpful guide for starting the process. He asserts that doing nothing could result in states seceding from the nation, which endangers the country’s survival.