Slouching Toward Bethlehem with the Ninth Amendment

11 Pages Posted: 23 Sep 2011 Last revised: 30 Dec 2014

See all articles by William W. Van Alstyne

William W. Van Alstyne

Duke University School of Law; William & Mary Law School

Date Written: 1981

Abstract

This review discusses Charles Black’s work “Decision According to Law”, which examines the tendency and the means used by activist judges to provide fair decisions through the use of more flexible principles of Constitutional law. While Black’s writing style is both informative and powerful, his original thesis regarding the Ninth Amendment acting as Congressional endorsement of the courts’ activist role is uncompelling and poorly supported.

Keywords: Ninth Amendment, Activist Judge, Book Review

Suggested Citation

Van Alstyne, William W. and Van Alstyne, William W., Slouching Toward Bethlehem with the Ninth Amendment (1981). Yale Law Journal, Vol. 91, p. 207, 1981, William & Mary Law School Research Paper No. 09-158, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1932341

William W. Van Alstyne (Contact Author)

William & Mary Law School ( email )

South Henry Street
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
United States

Duke University School of Law ( email )

210 Science Drive
Box 90362
Durham, NC 27708
United States

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