Constitutions are supposed to provide an enduring structure for politics. Yet only half live more than nineteen years. Why is it that some constitutions endure while others do not? In The Endurance of National Constitutions, Zachary Elkins, Tom Ginsburg, and James Melton examine the causes of constitutional endurance from an institutional perspective. Supported by an original set of cross-national historical data, theirs is the first comprehensive study of constitutional mortality. They show that whereas constitutions are imperiled by social and political crises, certain aspects of a constitution s design can lower the risk of death substantially. Thus, to the extent that endurance is desirable a question that the authors also subject to scrutiny the decisions of founders take on added importance.

Magna Carta is celebrated around the world as a symbol of limited government and constitutionalism. But in 1215 Magna Carta was a failure, abrogated within months. Why then do we celebrate this piece of parchment? To mark the 800th anniversary this book brings together top scholars from the UK, US and Australia to answer this question and analyse Magna Carta's historic and contemporary influence. Using a political science framework, Magna Carta and its Modern Legacy draws from scholarship on influence and constitutional design to explain how parchment can contain executive power. Individual chapters on Britain discuss such topics as socioeconomic rights in Magna Carta; Magna Carta and the British constitution; and public understanding of the charter. Internationally focused chapters look at Magna Carta and jury trial in America, slavery in the Caribbean, court delays in the Pacific, the proportionality principle, and judicial supremacy.

Constitutions are supposed to provide an enduring structure for politics. Yet only half live more than nineteen years. Why is it that some constitutions endure while others do not? In The Endurance of National Constitutions, Zachary Elkins, Tom Ginsburg, and James Melton examine the causes of constitutional endurance from an institutional perspective. Supported by an original set of cross-national historical data, theirs is the first comprehensive study of constitutional mortality. They show that whereas constitutions are imperiled by social and political crises, certain aspects of a constitution s design can lower the risk of death substantially. Thus, to the extent that endurance is desirable a question that the authors also subject to scrutiny the decisions of founders take on added importance."

Magna Carta is celebrated around the world as a symbol of limited government and constitutionalism. But in 1215 Magna Carta was a failure, abrogated within months. Why then do we celebrate this piece of parchment? To mark the 800th anniversary this book brings together top scholars from the UK, US and Australia to answer this question and analyse Magna Carta's historic and contemporary influence. Using a political science framework, Magna Carta and its Modern Legacy draws from scholarship on influence and constitutional design to explain how parchment can contain executive power. Individual chapters on Britain discuss such topics as socioeconomic rights in Magna Carta; Magna Carta and the British constitution; and public understanding of the charter. Internationally focused chapters look at Magna Carta and jury trial in America, slavery in the Caribbean, court delays in the Pacific, the proportionality principle, and judicial supremacy.

In this delightfully entertaining and educational children's book, Lizzy, an oversized hungry lizard, is hatched one day in Lake Powell. Lizzy learns to swim and follows the houseboats, eagerly eating all the garbage tossed off them. She gets very sick from ingesting Styrofoam cups and other debris, and must be towed to the Lake Powell doctor. When the doctor realizes what happened to Lizzy, signs are posted at Lake Powell to remind boaters to not pollute! Lizzy recovers and embodies an important message about the environment for all who enjoy the beauty of the lake. Diane Melton lives in Salt Lake City. Her next book is The House Slipper Patrol, a story about night terrors, featuring a little boy who goes to his closet every night and picks out a pair of slippers to place under his bed to keep bad dreams away. Ms. Melton loves to write stories for children that address different issues and problems that we all face. Publisher's website: http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/LizzyTheLakePowellLizard.html