Civil Peace and the Quest for Truth: The First Amendment Freedoms in Political Philosophy and American Constitutionalism

(Paperback)

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Description

Dry examines the U.S. Supreme Court's treatment of the First Amendment freedoms of religion and speech against the founding of the American Constitution and its philosophical underpinnings.

Reviews

The great distinction of this book is that it links three subjects, which are far too often considered separately: constitutional protection for free speech, the religion clauses of the Constitutions, and the teachings of the political philosophers who influenced the Founding Fathers. Professor Dry reveals the deep ties between these subjects, thereby shedding considerable light on modern constitutional doctrine. -- Daniel Farber, University of California, Berkeley
This timely book carefully describes the Supreme Court's constitutional doctrines of free speech and religion, and shows how that jurisprudence is derived from the Enlightenment thinkers who influenced the drafters of the American Constitution. Dry's analysis contains many insights on contemporary problems-from school vouchers to flag-burning-that will educate lawyers and non-lawyers alike. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the constitutional protection of speech and religion. -- Suzanna Sherry, Vanderbilt University Law School
Civil Peace and the Quest for Truth has many virtues, not least its lucid presentation of an argument assumed by many but made by few. The author's broad reach of argumentation, precise scholarship, clear organization and expression, and confident liberalism promise that the book serves as a valuable introduction and reference for anyone considering the relation of political philosophy to American constitutionalism. -- James R. Stoner, Jr., Louisiana State University

Author Bio

Murray Dry is Charles A. Dana Professor of Political Science at Middlebury College.