Constitutionalism and rights /

The editors present six essays in political theory, four based on guest lectures at Brigham Young U's commemoration of the Constitution's bicentennial and two chapters of their own. Richard Epstein criticizes welfare rights theory and Walter Berns affirms the importance of representation and property rights in a large commercial republic. Michael Sandel faults libertarian and egalitarian liberals for their preoccupation with individual rights without regard for the politics of the common good. Thomas Pangle laments the departure from the classical concern for civic virtue in public officials and citizens. The chapters stand and fall on their separate merits, as the contributors make no reference to occasionally conflicting points made elsewhere. Bryner and Reynolds do not synthesize the material, and sometimes offer different perspectives without acknowledging contrary views in other chapters. The contributors do not include any proponent of egalitarian, liberal theory. Several conservative attacks seem directed at implausible straw men. The collection would not be a significant library addition. Upper-division undergraduate students.-H. Tolley Jr., University of Cincinnati