Unable : the law, politics, and limits of Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment / Brian C. Kalt.

New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2019]

©2019

viii, 213 pages ; 22 cm

Since the election of President Donald Trump, the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the Constitution - covering presidential incapacity - has been a frequent topic of public discussion. But few understand how this amendment really works. Unable : The Law, Politics, and Limits of Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment explains, in Part I, the basics of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, especially Section 4, correcting common misconceptions, and resolving some of its ambiguities. Part II explores history: presidential disability before Section 4; the creation of Section 4 in 1965; the (non)use of Section 4 since then; and Section 4's portrayal in movies, books, and television. Part III presents a series of hypothetical scenarios that dramatize how Section 4 would work - or not work - in a wide variety of situations. Part IV concludes with some thoughts on how Section 4 interacts with constitutional law more generally, and some suggestions on how to improve Section 4's operation. Unable is designed to educate and inform the public about Section 4 and the Twenty-Fifth Amendment in an even-handed and accessible way, allowing readers to judge for themselves whether presidents - past and present - were or are fit to serve in office.

Since the election of President Donald Trump, the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the Constitution - covering presidential incapacity - has been a frequent topic of public discussion. But few understand how this amendment really works. Unable : The Law, Politics, and Limits of Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment explains, in Part I, the basics of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, especially Section 4, correcting common misconceptions, and resolving some of its ambiguities. Part II explores history: presidential disability before Section 4; the creation of Section 4 in 1965; the (non)use of Section 4 since then; and Section 4's portrayal in movies, books, and television. Part III presents a series of hypothetical scenarios that dramatize how Section 4 would work - or not work - in a wide variety of situations. Part IV concludes with some thoughts on how Section 4 interacts with constitutional law more generally, and some suggestions on how to improve Section 4's operation. Unable is designed to educate and inform the public about Section 4 and the Twenty-Fifth Amendment in an even-handed and accessible way, allowing readers to judge for themselves whether presidents - past and present - were or are fit to serve in office.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

KF5082 .K35 2017

English

9780190083199 (hardback)
0190083190 (hardback)
9780190083229 (online)
0190083220 (online)
9780190083205 (updf)
0190083204 (updf)
9780190083212 (epub)
0190083212 (epub)