The American Legal System and Civic Engagement Why We All Should Think Like Lawyers

In recent years there has been a widely-recognized and serious lack of rational and civil public discussion about current issues. In The American Legal System and Civic Engagement, Manaster asserts that ordinary citizens can form their opinions on public issues more intelligently, confidently, and responsibly if they have some guidance on how to do it. Drawing from the tools and traditions of the American legal system, he offers guidance to aid citizens in understanding public issues and participating in the type of responsible public debate these challenging issues deserve. From analyzing the influence of the media in informing the public, to examining the role of the citizen as a juror, The American Legal System and Civic Engagement is a practical and informative guide to how Americans can better perform the civic duty that modern democracy requires.

Kenneth A. Manaster is Professor of Law and Presidential Professor of Ethics and the Common Good at Santa Clara University, USA, where he principally teaches environmental law, tort law, and administrative law. He has also taught at The University of Texas, Stanford University, and Hastings College of the Law. His other books include Environmental Protection and Justice and Illinois Justice: The Scandal of 1969 and the Rise of John Paul Stevens.