Stephen Breyer se proslavil jako profesor a přednášející na Harvard Law School, kde se specializoval na správní právo a napsal několik vlivných učebnic. Vždy se držel pragmatického přístupu k ústavnímu právu a je spojován s liberálnějším křídlem Nejvyššího soudu. Ve své knize z roku 2005 obhajoval právní teorii, která zdůrazňuje aktivní svobodu a podporu účasti veřejnosti na rozhodování vlády. Jeho práce se zaměřuje na to, jak soudnictví může nejlépe řešit problémy, aby podpořilo demokratické zapojení.
Edited and introduced by former Supreme Court Justice Breyer's former law clerk--and accompanied by a sobering update on the state of segregated schools in America today--this volume contains the full text of Breyer's most impassioned opinion, a dissent that Justice John Paul Stevens called at the time "eloquent and unanswerable."swerable."
"Justice Stephen Breyer examines the work of SCOTUS in an increasingly interconnected world, a world in which all sorts of public and private activity--from the conduct of national security policy to the conduct of international trade--obliges the Court to consider and understand circumstances beyond America's borders. At a time when ordinary citizens may book international lodging directly through online sites like Airbnb, it has become clear that judicial awareness can no longer stop at the water's edge"--
Focusing on the concept of "active liberty," Justice Stephen Breyer presents a compelling argument for a dynamic interpretation of the Constitution, emphasizing citizen engagement in governance. He advocates for judicial modesty and highlights the need for courts to adapt to evolving societal demands. Through contemporary examples, such as federalism and privacy issues, Breyer challenges the notion of the Constitution as a static document, asserting its principles should evolve to address modern challenges. This perspective contributes significantly to discussions on judicial power and constitutional interpretation.
On its Surface, this book is aimed at the topical issue of regulatory reform. But underneath it strives to go beyond the topical, seeking to analyze regulation as a distinct discipline and to help teach it as a separate subject