The State Action Principle and its Critics

41 Pages Posted: 13 Apr 2010 Last revised: 18 Apr 2010

See all articles by John C. Harrison

John C. Harrison

University of Virginia School of Law

Lillian Riemer BeVier

University of Virginia School of Law

Date Written: April 12, 2010

Abstract

The article is an entry in a long-standing debate concerning the soundness of the state action principle in American constitutional law. According to that principle, exercises of private rights by private people are not subject to the constitutional rules that apply to the government, even though those private decisions are supported by the government's coercive power. For many decades, some scholars have argued that the principle is irrational and also inconsistent with the purpose of some of the constitutional norms that it limits, such as the First Amendment. The article defends the principle from its critics, a group that includes a number of important contemporary constitutional theorists. We maintain that the state action principle is a reasonable implementation of the Constitution's basic distinction between public and private decision makers, and that it is consistent with a plausible and we think persuasive, understanding of the particular constitutional rules that the critics maintain the state action principle arbitrarily limits.

Keywords: State Action, Shelley v. Kramer, Marsh v. Alabama

Suggested Citation

Harrison, John C. and Riemer BeVier, Lillian, The State Action Principle and its Critics (April 12, 2010). Virginia Law Review, Forthcoming, Virginia Public Law and Legal Theory Research Paper No. 2010-18, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1588082

John C. Harrison (Contact Author)

University of Virginia School of Law ( email )

580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
United States

Lillian Riemer BeVier

University of Virginia School of Law ( email )

580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
United States
804-924-3132 (Phone)
804-924-7536 (Fax)

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