“Equal Citizenship Stature”: Justice Ginsburg’s Constitutional Vision

Authors

Neil S. Siegel, Duke Law SchoolFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2010

Keywords

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, constitutional vision, equal protection, gender, race, disability

Abstract

In this essay, Professor Siegel examines the nature and function of constitutional visions in the American constitutional order. He argues that Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg possesses such a vision and that her vision is defined by her oft-stated commitment to “full human stature,” to “equal citizenship stature.” He then defends Justice Ginsburg’s characteristically incremental and moderate approach to realizing her vision. He does so in part by establishing that President Barack Obama articulated a similar vision and approach in his Philadelphia speech on American race relations and illustrated its capacity to succeed during the 2008 presidential election.

Citation

Neil S. Siegel, “Equal Citizenship Stature”: Justice Ginsburg’s Constitutional Vision, 43 New England Law Review 799-855 (2010)