Bessette Pitney Text

Bessette/Pitney’s AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: DELIBERATION, DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP reviews the idea of "deliberative democracy." Building on the book, this blog offers insights, analysis, and facts about recent events.

Friday, July 3, 2026

The Hardest Constitution to Amend

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There has not been a constitutional convention since the original in Philadelphia. A 2016 report from the Congressional Research Service d...

Thursday, July 2, 2026

American Pride Drops and Polarizes

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Many posts have discussed patriotism and American exceptionalism . Megan Brenan at Gallup : As the United States marks its 250th anniver...

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

SCOTUS Upholds Birthright Citizenship

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A number of posts have discussed birthright citizenship . Amy Howe at SCOTUSblog : The Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down President Do...

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Goodbye, Humphrey's Executor

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Many posts have discussed regulation and the administrative state . Amy Howe at SCOTUSblog : The Supreme Court on Monday gave President ...

Monday, June 29, 2026

The Districts Are Too Damn Big

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Many posts have discussed reapportionment and redistricting . There have long been proposals to enlarge the House , thereby creating l...

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Justice Kagan Notes Trump's Racism

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Many posts have discussed immigration and asylum . Justice Kagan's dissent in Mullin v. Doe (25-1083) The Haiti plaintiffs have yet...

Saturday, June 27, 2026

Passports, Visas, and Trump

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Many posts have discussed myths and misinformation . Also – "Welcome, but be good"? Who's Trump's target audience for...

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