The Bill of Rights and Civil War Amendments created a triangular power struggle among state, nation and individual. Using chronological court cases, this book examines how the Supreme Court became arbiter among the three claimants to power, sometimes backtracking and sometimes taking a bold leap forward. Focusing on Justice Rehnquists lengthy term on the Supreme Court, Steven T. Seitz examines the growth and emphasis of individual sovereignty throughout the twentieth century. Highlighting some of the dispositional problems with Rehnquist decisions, the book uses the sustainable case law standard instead of applauding either conservative or liberal point of view which provides new vantage points on topics like equal protection of women, due process in several arenas, contracts, free speech, sex, and guns.

Steven T. Seitz is associate professor of political science at the University of Illinois.

Chapter 1: The Two ConstitutionsChapter 2: Dred ScottChapter 3: Privileges and ImmunitiesChapter 4: Due ProcessChapter 5: Criminal ProcessChapter 6: Equal Protection for WomenChapter 7: Asserting Federal PowerChapter 8: ContractsChapter 9: Free Speech and CorporationsChapter 10: SexChapter 11: Guns