Politicians, Economists and the Supreme Court at Work: The Founders Betrayed

Thomas Jefferson wrote 'I wish - never to see all offices transferred to Washington, where, further withdrawn from the eyes of the people, they may more secretly be bought and sold at market'. What would Jefferson, Madison and the other Founders write today? Deploying their moral and political philosophy, their political economy and their understanding of the Constitution, Timothy P. Roth contends that the Founders would tell us that most of what the federal government does is either immoral, unconstitutional, or both. Presented as an engaging thought experiment, Politicians, Economists and the Supreme Court at Work examines the metastasizing federal role through two different first, as it relates to the increasing concerns of a contemporary nation, and second, the depth to which that nation's Founders would be appalled by the actions of their successors. Additionally, the book provides a critical appraisal of the burgeoning federal enterprise and the federal government's 'on-, off-, and off-off' budget activities - ultimately answering the question, 'What would the Founders do?' The nature and timeliness of this volume will appeal to moral and political philosophers, political scientists, historians, economists, scholars and students. In addition, the accessibility of the text provides for a compelling read that will pique the interest of the general public.