Judicial Engagement, New Originalism, and the Fortieth Anniversary of 'Government by the Judiciary'

22 Pages Posted: 9 Nov 2017 Last revised: 21 Mar 2018

See all articles by Eric Segall

Eric Segall

Georgia State University College of Law

Date Written: November 11, 2017

Abstract

Forty years ago, Professor Raoul Berger published his originalism manifesto "Government by the Judiciary." Berger argued for deferential judicial review based on the clear text and original intent or original meaning of the Constitution. Now, almost half-a-century later, a new brand of Originalism has emerged among scholars and litigators advocating that judges use robust judicial review when evaluating economic legislation. This heightened form of judicial review may be sensible or not as a matter of public policy, but contrary to the claims of those urging judges to adopt it, judicial engagement as defined by New Originalists cannot be justified by the Constitution's text or original meaning. Such a strong form of judicial review can only be justified by a living Constitution approach to constitutional interpretation.

Keywords: constitutional law, originalism, constitutional interpretation

Suggested Citation

Segall, Eric, Judicial Engagement, New Originalism, and the Fortieth Anniversary of 'Government by the Judiciary' (November 11, 2017). 86 Fordham L. Rev. Online (2018, Forthcoming)., Georgia State University College of Law, Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2018-05, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3066764

Eric Segall (Contact Author)

Georgia State University College of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 4037
Atlanta, GA 30302-4037
United States

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