Good Governing
The Police Power in the American States

Explores the origins and functions of state police power and its connection to state constitutionalism and government regulation.

Daniel B. Rodriguez (Author)

9781009124218, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 October 2024

354 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.52 kg

'… an exceptionally valuable analysis of the many nuances of American public policy. … Highly recommended.' R. Heineman, Choice

Good Governing: The Police Power in the American States is a deep historical and legal analysis of state police power, examining its origins in the founding period of the American public through the 20th century. The book reveals how American police power was intended to be a broad, but not unlimited, charter of regulatory governance, designed to implement key constitutional objectives and advance the general welfare. It explores police power's promise as a mechanism for implementing successful regulatory governance and tackling societal ills, while considering key structural issues like separation of powers and individual rights. This insightful book will shape understanding of the neglected state police power, a key part of constitutional governance in the U.S. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Part I. Power for the People – Creating the Modern Police Power: 1. State Constitutions and the Governance Project
2. The Police Power in our Republic's First Century
3. 'The Power to Govern Men and Things': The Police Power Evolves To Meet New Conditions
4. The Shape of the Police Power in the Modern Era
Part II. Structural Considerations: 5. Separating and Distributing Powers and Functions
6. Constitutional Rights
7. Turning Inside Out: Resolving Conflicts over the Scope of the Police Power
8. The Police Power and Federalism
Part III: The Police Power's Promise
9. Spheres of Regulatory Governance
10. Techniques of Regulatory Intervention: New Tools to Solve Wicked Problems.

Subject Areas: Constitutional & administrative law [LND]