The Indiana State Constitution

The only book-length investigation of the Indiana Constitution, this volume provides a realistic perspective of the formation and evolutionary change of the constitution's provisions. The 1851 Constitution has developed gradually since its adoption, with a minimum of formal amendments, and the constraints on government under the original act are evident today. Relying extensively on state court decisions and reasoning, this book illustrates the scattered and episodic adaptation of the constitutional language to current governmental needs. It shows the limited ability, imposed by the original act, of the state government to make adjustments to recent issues and pressures. This work shows the limitations that a heavily political context, evident in the original document, can impose on the development and operation of a constitution. The book develops a clear outline of the current meaning of the provisions of the Indiana State Constitution and provides the historical and political context that accounts for its development. The treatment provides readers with an accurate, comprehensive perspective on the meaning of the Indiana Constitution.