The Political Theory of Mr. Justice Holmes

CHITTY'S LAW JOURNAL, VOL. 26 NO.6, 1978

12 Pages Posted: 16 Mar 2016 Last revised: 13 May 2018

Date Written: 1978

Abstract

Commentators of the judicial decisions of Justice Holmes have often situated the decisions inside the doctrines of freedom of expression and the rules and tests approach to legal analysis. This Paper situates his judgments in the context of a political theory. Drawing from his articles, lectures and correspondence, the Paper highlights Holmes’ reaction to the idealism and rationalism of the intellectual current before him. His view of human nature, conditioned by his war experience, is elaborated. The Paper especially examines his theory of political struggle with the process-oriented view that the dominant social groups invariably become the political elite. The Paper then connects his theory of human nature to his legal doctrines, the role of the judiciary, the nature of the state, and a legal right.

Keywords: Justice Holmes, Political Theory, Legal Philosophy, Human Nature

Suggested Citation

Conklin, William, The Political Theory of Mr. Justice Holmes (1978). CHITTY'S LAW JOURNAL, VOL. 26 NO.6, 1978, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2748664

William Conklin (Contact Author)

University of Windsor ( email )

401 Sunset Avenue
Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4
Canada

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