Somtimes It soddo

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Michigan Classic 2009 1 / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

CRITICAL LEAL ST!"IES #####1$C %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%2

CRITICAL LEGAL S TUDIES—1NC SHELL 1/5..................................................................................................3CRITICAL LEGAL S TUDIES—1NC SHELL 2/5..................................................................................................4CRITICAL LEGAL S TUDIES—1NC SHELL 3/5..................................................................................................5CRITICAL LEGAL S TUDIES—1NC SHELL 4/5..................................................................................................6CRITICAL LEGAL S TUDIES—1NC SHELL 5/5..................................................................................................7

#####LI$&S/IM'ACTS %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%(

LINK /IMPACT—RIGHTS 1/5........................................................................................................................ 9LINK /IMPACT—RIGHTS 2/5...................................................................................................................... 10LINK /IMPACT—RIGHTS 3/5...................................................................................................................... 11LINK /IMPACT—RIGHTS 4/5...................................................................................................................... 12LINK /IMPACT—RIGHTS 5/5...................................................................................................................... 13LINK /IMPACT—POSITIVE RIGHTS 1/2.......................................................................................................... 14LINK /IMPACT—POSITIVE RIGHTS 2/2.......................................................................................................... 15LINK /IMPACT—CONSTITUTION 1/2............................................................................................................. 16LINK /IMPACT—CONSTITUTION 2/2............................................................................................................. 17LINK /IMPACT—REE SPEECH/1ST AMENDMENT 1/2........................................................................................1!LINK /IMPACT—REE SPEECH/1ST AMENDMENT 2/2........................................................................................19

LINK /IMPACT—THE S TATE 1/1.................................................................................................................. 20LINK /IMPACT—THE LA" 1/1.................................................................................................................... 21LINK /IMPACT—SUPREME COURT 1/2.......................................................................................................... 22LINK /IMPACT—SUPREME COURT 2/2.......................................................................................................... 23LINK /IMPACT—RULE O LA" 1/2.............................................................................................................. 24LINK /IMPACT—RULE O LA" 2/2.............................................................................................................. 25LINK /IMPACT—LA" AND ECONOMICS 1/1................................................................................................... 26LINK /IMPACT—S TARE DECISIS/PRECEDENT 1/1............................................................................................27LINK /IMPACT—LEGAL THEORIES 1/1.......................................................................................................... 2!LINK /IMPACT—EDERALISM 1/2................................................................................................................ 29LINK /IMPACT—EDERALISM 2/2................................................................................................................ 30LINK /IMPACT—REE MARKET/PRIVATI#ATION 1/1..........................................................................................31LINK /IMPACT—IDENTIT$ POLITICS 1/1........................................................................................................ 32LINK /IMPACT—ALIENATION/VALUE TO LIE 1/1............................................................................................33

#####ALTER$ATI)E %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%*+

ALTERNATIVE—SOLVENC$ % GENERAL 1/1.................................................................................................. 35ALTERNATIVE—SOLVENC$ % DEMOCRAC$ 1/1..............................................................................................36ALTERNATIVE—SOLVENC$ % COURT 1/1...................................................................................................... 37ALTERNATIVE—SOLVENC$ % ALIENATION 1/1...............................................................................................3!ALTERNATIVE—RE&ECT DETERMINAC$ O THE LA" 1/1.................................................................................39ALTERNATIVE—PARALLEL LEGAL S $STEM 1/1..............................................................................................40ALTERNATIVE—REINTERPRET THE CONSTITUTION 1/1...................................................................................41

#####A2 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%+2

THE$ SA$—'PERMUTATIONS( 1/1............................................................................................................. 43 THE$ SA$—'THE LA" IS DETERMINATE( / 'K O INDETERMINAC$ THESIS( 1/1.................................................44 THE$ SA$—'LA" EMPIRICALL$ EECTIVE( 1/1...........................................................................................45 THE$ SA$—'DEMAND OR GRAND THEOR$( 1/1........................................................................................46

THE$ SA$—'CASE OUT"EIGHS( 1/1........................................................................................................ 47 THE$ SA$—'PLAN IS NOT OPPRESSIVE( 1/1..............................................................................................4! THE$ SA$—'ALTERNATIVE DOESN) T DO AN$THING(..................................................................................... 49 THE$ SA$—'$OU CAN) T DESCRI*E $OUR ALTERNATIVE( 1/1.........................................................................50 THE$ SA$—'ALTERNATIVE CAN) T SOLVE AUTHORITARIANISM( 1/1...................................................................51 THE$ SA$—'ALTERNATIVE IS VAGUE/U TOPIAN( 1/1......................................................................................52 THE$ SA$—'HAVE TO DEEND A POLIC$ OPTION( 1/1................................................................................53 THE$ SA$—'ALTERNATIVE LINKS TO THE K RITIK ( 1/1...................................................................................54 THE$ SA$—'ALTERNATIVE LEADS TO ANARCH$/AN$THING GOES( 1/1.............................................................55




#####1$C



Michigan Classic 2009 * / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

CRITICAL LEAL ST!"IES,1$C S-ELL 1/5

S!B'.I$T A T-E LI$& ,

T-E AIRMATI)ES AIT- I$ T-E LEAL SSTEM IS MIS'LACE" % T-E 'RE)AILI$ "ISC.!RSE . T-E LA3 T-AT

T-E E$AE I$ IS $.T $E!TRAL A$" .B4ECTI)E B!T RAT-ER A "ISC.!RSE . '.3ER T-AT SER)ES T. 'RE)E$T MARI$ALIE" ).ICES R.M RAS'I$ -.L" . T-E LE)ERS . '.3ER% T-E LA3 ITSEL IS I$"ETERMI$ATE A$"

T-E RATI.$ALII$ CRITERIA T-E AIRMATI)E !SES T. MA&E T-EIR LEAL AR!ME$T IS A$ E6C!SE T. REEE

E6ISTI$ S.CIAL RELATI.$S A$" SSTEMS . .''RESSI.$ %

R+,- ". .R".$ P+-+ + L S+ U8- 19(7:'U--;< L-<= R-=> C?= A@@+?- T+ L( Florida State University Law Review B15 =. S. U.L. R-8. 195 S-A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-FN-F

N+ ?-= -- + CLS + ,-- the 8rdinar disc8urses 8: la; << de=ates 8>erlegislati8n? legal arguments? 8- ?+ -?+ =-J ?+ ?=- legalc8mmentar and sch8larshi@? etc% << all c8ntri=ute t8 cementing this :eeling +?- -@<

?+@=?- that things must =e the ;a the are and that ma8r changes c8uld 8nlmae them ;8rse% Legal disc8urse acc8m@lishes this in man ;as% irst = endlesslre@eating the claim that la; and the 8ther @8lic sciences ha>e @er:ected a set 8: rati8nal techniues and instituti8ns that ha>e c8me a=8ut as cl8se as ;e are e>er lielt8 get t8 s8l>ing the @r8=lem 8: d8minati8n in ci>il s8ciet . P +- legal disc8urse

@aints an idealiDed :antas 8: 8rder acc8rding t8 ;hich legal rules and @r8cedures ha>es8 structured relati8ns am8ng @e8@le that such relati8ns ma @rimaril =e underst88d asinstituted = their c8nsent? their :ree and rati8nal ch8ices% Such c8erci8n as a@@arentlremains ma =e e@lained as the result 8: necessit << either natural -?-- B? ??

+ - =- ?@? + = 8r s8cial -?--. + -F@=- ,- + - @-8=< ?+- -

+ -?- + +@=?- ++ ,++ - -F@=-> B1 , ---?- + - ?+?= <---+ - @- + - -=8- @---?- + -@+,= 8- =-- + < 8- -? B2 , - =,+ + --= =- == BL * - +- ,-,== @=- ,-?- - ,-- B3 , -- + -?-? @+?+ ? - + -- -F-8- -? + - @@+- + @-8+

++< ?-=;+ + 8-- -?+ + +. There are al;as s8me residues 8: clearlunha@@ :199 c8nditi8ns << undeser>ed de@ri>ati8n? e@l8itati8n? suFering << that cann8t=e e@lained + -- . The disc8urses 8: la; are @erha@s m8st res8urce:ul indealing ;ith these residues? treating them as? 8n the ;h8le? readil re:8rma=le ;ithinthe @re>ailing @8litical 8@ti8ns :8r adusting the structures 8: 8rdinar @ractices << 8ne

need merel Gne tune the scheme 8: regulati8n + --<=+ t8 c8rrect them. * the@re>ailing disc8urse ??= +== - <? +- + +- - <--= ++ +

?+@=?-?. I ++ -<-= acn8;ledges that =e8nd the necessar minimum and there:8rma=le residues 8: c8erci8n and miser there is an irreduci=le? intracta=le remainder<< due t8 inherent limits 8n 8ur ca@acit :8r achie>ing s8cial n8;ledge? 8r :8r changings8ciet thr8ugh deli=erate inter>enti8n? 8r :8r taing c8llecti>e acti8n against e>il;ith8ut suFering the greater e>il 8: des@8tic @8;er.

These disc8urses 8: legal and technical rati8nalit? 8: rights? c8nsent? necessit?eHcienc? and tragic limitati8n? are 8: c8urse disc8urses 8: @8;er << n8t 8nl :8r the8=>i8us reas8ns that la;s c8mmands are =aced = :8rce and its 8@erati8ns can inJicten8rm8us @ain? =ut =ecause t8 ha>e access t8 these disc8urses? t8 =e a=le t8 use them 8r@a 8thers t8 use them 8n 8ur =ehal:? is a large @art 8: ;hat it means t8 @8ssess @8;er%

urther? the are disc8urses that =+< +- @== ?+?- + -F?- ?+?-+ +< -@-- + -=8-= =- @+-= <+@ <<=< + ,-=+ in ha=itual @ractice tend t8 e@ress theinterests and the @ers@ecti>es 8: the @8;er:ul @e8@le ;h8 use them . T- ?+- 8- +- + - @+- - + ,-?- +- + - ?= + 8- @=,=- +< + +. T- ?= + -F@=- +- -=-+< ?+- 8+== ?++- @??= -- + - - - + - +@=?- - + <- @- @+,,= + ,-=-8- , +- 8- +- - -F@-8-= - + + - ?@? +

-?+<;- <+< + + -. I + =8th the @lausi=le and im@lausi=le claims are=aced u@ in the cases 8: la; and 8: ec8n8mics and the @8lic sciences = a uite:8rmida=le<seeming techn8cratic a@@aratus 8: rati8nal ustiGcati8n << suggesting that themiscellan 8: s8cial @ractices ;e ha@@en t8 ha>e =een =8rn int8 in this hist8rical m8mentis much m8re than a c8ntingent miscellan% It has an 8rder? e>en i: s8metimes an in>isi=le8neK it maes sense% The arra 8: legal n8rms? instituti8ns? @r8cedures? and d8ctrines in:8rce? can =e rati8nall deri>ed :r8m the @rinci@les 8: regard :8r indi>idual aut8n8m?




CRITICAL LEAL ST!"IES,1$C S-ELL */5

S!B'.I$T B T-E IM'ACT,

IRST ,T-E AIRMATI)ES AIT- I$ T-E LEAL SSTEM $.T .$L AILS T. SEC!RE T-E A")A$TAES T-E

IS.LATE B!T ALS. ACTI)EL C.$TRIB!TES T. A!T-.RITARIA$ISM % T-E LA3 A$" LEAL I$TER'RETATI.$ ARE

!$N!ESTI.$ABL )I.LE$T ? E$S!RI$ T-E ".MI$A$CE . E6ISTI$ '.3ER!L I$TERESTS A$" &ILLI$ . ALTER$ATI)E )ISI.$S . 4!STICE %

L- -E$"ERS.$ P+-+ + L - I U8- S?++= + L *=++<+ 1991:'A+ - R=- + L( Indiana Law Journal B66 I. L.&. 379 S@< A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8L-FN-F

T- =? + ?+== ?+=-<- = 8- -?-= + C+8-J <<-+ la; has t88 8:ten =een amechanism :8r state >i8lence and human 8@@ressi8n ?- - ?= =-<= ?+= 8-

?+=-<< la; can =e 8@@ressi>e as a matter 8: c8urse? rather than as an 8ccasi8nalece@ti8n. 146 P-@ + +- ?+= ,-- +- ?+?-- - 8+=- @8- - + = C+8-.H +- ,-< + ?= -+?-- + - <8- =8- = &?- A??- 147 -- -+ = + - + - -. H- +- - ? . . . ? -++ +- - ,-?- + =- + - ,-?- + =. 14! * -- C+8- 8- - + --- P-J-- - R=- + L < , -- + 8- -- +- + C+8-J ,-=- = - + <<=-+8- -<. 149 + C+8- = + - @+- + -8- - + <+8-- , - +?=

-< + +8- +> 150 OPTQhere is a radical dich8t8m =et;een the s8cial

8rganiDati8n 8: la; as @8;er and the 8rganiDati8n 8: :404 la; as meaning%O 151 - Ointhe d8main 8: legal meaning? it is :8rce and >i8lence that are @r8=lematic%O 152 L -+8- -@-8- ?+- + ?+ -< ??+@- , ? +< ?+- ?+= =- + ?8- -?- + +- -@-+. "=- @- =-<= -< + C+8- 8+?- + @+-

?+-?+ ?= 8+=-?- + ,- -- < ?+ ?+-. 153 Because + C+8- OPaQ legal;8rld is =uilt 8nl t8 the etent that there are c8mmitments that @lace =8dies 8n theline?O 154 >i8lence might =e the 8nl ;a t8 assure the d8minance 8: 8ne legalinter@retati8n 8>er an8ther. O- -- + ??-@ = -8- +-+- @-@- + @ - ,+ + -=- + + < @@-?+ + C+8-J -F@+- + - @8- +@@-8- @-? + - A-? ?++=- + - + - + - ? - -.

C+8- <- the state s8ught t8 c8ntr8l la;? its means 8: s8cial c8ntr8l? in @art thr8ughits Oim@er:ect m8n8@8l 8>er the d8main 8: >i8lence%O 155 H- -- udges in>8e andim@lement state >i8lence = insisting 8n 8=edience t8 their 8rders and sacriGcing Olegalmeaning t8 the interest in @u=lic 8rder%O 156 4udges ??+< + C+8- m8st t@icall a@@lieda OstatistO a@@r8ach t8 la;? dening the eHcac 8: alternati>e c8mmunit inter@retati8ns .157 * =-<= -< -8-=+@- , ?+- ?+- -- = ? - -< -8-=+@- , - ?+.

H- +- Othe urisgenerati>e @rinci@le = ;hich legal meaning @r8li:erates % % % ne>er eistsin is8lati8n :r8m >i8lence% Inter@retati8n al;as taes @lace in the shad8; 8: c8erci8n% % %C8urts? at least the c8urts 8: the state? are characteristicall uris@athic?O 15! literallilling 8F alternati>e legal meanings. 159

C+8- =+ -?,- + @+?- + , -?,< - ?+= -+ <8- , <- + @=?- -

8+=-?- + + ,-+ - -? + J=.J 160 H- <- udges @r8m8ted su=stanti>eauth8ritarianism thr8ugh @r8cedure? =8th = asserting their 8;n @8;er t8 @unish and =de:erring t8 state >i8lence% 4udges? = using Ourisdicti8nal ecuses t8 a>8id disru@tingthe 8rderl de@l8ment 8: state @8;er and @ri>ilege?O rein:8rced auth8ritarianism . 161 I -F+ + :405 S@-- C+ ?- C+8- <- - C+ +@- ? ,8-=+ ?- + - ?+ ?+ ?- - :,-< J+<J - - ?+ =<- - 8+=-?- J-J - - ?+ ?+--< + 8+=-?-. 162 P8- -?- -?- + -= , ?;- ,+- + -<- + +,--?- + - @-+ @,=? +-. 163 T -S@-- C+J @@+8= + - @8- - + - 8+=-?- , ?+ "=- 8. C + *< 164 ? -= ?;- - + +,- -8- ?++= =+- ?+ ?+ + C+8- @- +.

T- =- + :"=- ,+- - ?-+ + =-<= -< + - -- @,=? +-. I - =- + - <- -- =++< +. I @- + - <- <- + - 8+=-?- -@=+- + 8+=-?- < - @8-+- + +8-- ?+- + @- @-+@=- +,. . . . E8- - +< - <- + ? -=- + ,- +,--. T- <= "=- - - <- + ,- <<-8- ?++< @8- -?- ,-?- + == ,- 8?- . . . 165

B?+- + -F @<-—+< ?



Michigan Classic 2009 / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

CRITICAL LEAL ST!"IES,1$C S-ELL +/5

B?+- + @-8+ @<-—+< ? T - &?- -- ,+ +== -@+,=- @=?- - 8+=-?- =. 166 "- - + -+- - + -<<< 8+=-?- + -F@=- - L+ A<-=- @+=?- ?+-+= ?- 167 - C+ -?+= -F?- + 8+ @< - +-= -@=+- + - @+- @8=-<-. 16! U< - -+ + --= -@+ + @+- ---?- + + ,?- - ?- + =+- ?+ <- +,--?- +-? C+8- <- - C+J ?+= @?@=- =< - -@-8- ? + <- - ?

-- + +- + ?++= - - + 8+=-?-. 169

I V+=-?- - "+ 170 C+8- +@@+- - -@-8 =-<= ?+=@ @+< + OPlQegalinter@reti>e acts signal and 8ccasi8n the im@8siti8n 8: >i8lence u@8n 8thers A udgearticulates her understanding 8: a tet? and as a result? s8me=8d l8ses his :reed8m? his@r8@ert? his children? e>en his li:e%O 171 Legal inter@retati8n? unlie literarinter@retati8n? ;as @8litical and ;as Oeither @laed 8ut 8n the Geld 8: @ain and death 8rit is s8mething less 8r m8re than la;%O 172 Legal inter@retati8n? :406 as udgesengaged in it? ;as O1 a @ractical acti>it? 2 designed t8 generate credi=le threats andactual deeds 8: >i8lence? * in an eFecti>e ;a%O 173 + -F@=- - -+=+< + @- Q-+ - <- + +- - 8+=-?- + - ?= =. 174 D< + M=<J + +,--?- + + 175C+8- <- += +=- ?=- - @++ + 8+=-?-. 176 A=+< C+8- + - - <- -?@+ + <- ,- +- --,=?- + + +=- +. C+- M=<J +,-8+ C+8-

<- ;hen udges inter@ret the la; the shelter themsel>es :r8m the >i8lent

im@licati8ns 8: their r8le as inter@reters and the set int8 m8ti8n >i8lence ;ithininstituti8nal r8les? gi>ing @ers8ns @ermissi8n t8 inJict @ain that insulates them :r8minhi=iti8n. 177 4udges thus identi: ;ith and are acti>e in @er@etuating state >i8lenceKthat >i8lence in turn limits the @8ssi=ilit 8: Gnding c8mm8n meaning and Ola;%O 17!




CRITICAL LEAL ST!"IES,1$C S-ELL 5/5

S!B'.I$T C T-E ALTER$ATI)E,

).TE $EATI)E T. S-A&E T-E R! .!T R.M !$"ER T-E LEAL SSTEM B E$AI$ I$ C.$STA$T? ACTI)E CRITICISM % E)E$ I 3E CA$$.T ARTIC!LATE A$ ALTER$ATI)E )ISI.$ .R T-E !T!RE? T-IS .RM . REACTI)E A$" "ESTR!CTI)E CRITICISM IS A NECESSARY PREREQUISITE T. A$ S!CCESS!L M.)E T.3AR" LIBERATI.$

REEI$ !S R.M T-E S-AC&LES . LEAL TRA"ITI.$ IS T-E .$L 3A .R EAC- . !S T. ASS!ME I$"I)I"!AL

RES'.$SIBILIT .R T-E 3A 3E LI)E .!R LI)ES%

&+-@ "== SI$ER A+?- P+-+ + L *++ U8- 19(+:'T- P=- - C> N= L-<= T-+( Yale Law Journal B94 $=- L.&. 1 N+8-,- A8=,=- O=- + S,?,<I+ 8 L-FN-F

" == - + - ,+ =-<= -+ I ;e sh8uld a=and8n the idea that ;hat ;e aresu@@8sed t8 =e d8ing is a@@ling 8r articulating a rati8nal meth8d that ;ill tell us 8nceand :8r all B+ -8- + + <--+ ;hat ;e are su@@8sed t8 =elie>e and h8; ;e aresu@@8sed t8 li>e% 3e sh8uld n8 l8nger >ie; the @r8ect 8: gi>ing a Orati8nal :8undati8nO:8r la; as a ;8rth;hile endea>8r% I: m8ralit and la; are matters 8: c8n>icti8n ratherthan l8gic? ;e ha>e n8 reas8n t8 =e ashamed that 8ur dee@l :elt =elie:s ha>e n8 O=asisOthat can =e dem8nstrated thr8ugh a rati8nal decisi8n @r8cedure 8r that ;e cann8t @r8>ethem t8 =e OtrueO 8r Oright%O

R+ <- ,--- + ,+ @- + -+> -? -<. 165 S-? @=++@- ,=- + +< - ?= -F@= =<- ,+- + -= <- -+-?= -8-=+@- <--- - +?= -+. S-;- ? ,- -- += + -8+=+ @=++@-. T- += -;- + -,=- + - -8+=+ -;- -- + -@=?- - -,=- @< - ,-- + -@< + +<. *+ + -,= -+ == - ,+ + - =-<- ?+- + ?+-.

Edi:ing @hil8s8@hers + - +- see t8 shae the rug 8ut :r8m under eisting n8rmal

8r a=n8rmal sstems 8: th8ught% The see t8 mae us d8u=t the necessit andc8herence 8: 8ur >ie;s% The see t8 :ree us :r8m :eeling that ;e ha>e Og8ttenO theans;er and that ;e n8 l8nger need t8 uesti8n 8ursel>es a=8ut ;hat ;e stand :8r%Edi:ing @hil8s8@hers d8 n8t see t8 induce @e8@le t8 gi>e u@ their m8ral >ie;s% The d8n8t :5! argue against @r8:8und @8litical c8mmitment% Rather? the stri>e t8 mae usrealiDe that 8ur >ie;s are matters 8: c8mmitment rather than n8;ledge. 166

Legal sch8lars can @er:8rm an edi:ing r8le = =r8adening the @ercei>ed sc8@e 8: legitimate instituti8nal alternati>es. 167 .ne ;a t8 d8 this is t8 dem8nstrate the

c8ntingent and mallea=le nature 8: legal reas8ning and legal instituti8ns% The greatest

ser>ice that legal the8rists can @r8>ide is acti>e criticism 8: the legal sstem% Criticism is

initiall reacti>e and destructi>e ? rather than c8nstructi>e% But 8ut mistaen =elie: that8ur current ;as 8: d8ing things are s8meh8; natural 8r necessar hinders us :r8m

en>isi8ning radical alternati>es t8 ;hat eists% T8 eercise 8ur ut8@ian imaginati8n ? it ishel@:ul Grst t8 e@8se the structures 8: th8ught that limit 8ur @erce@ti8n 8: ;hat is@8ssi=le% 4udges rati8naliDe their decisi8ns as the results 8: reas8ned ela=8rati8n 8: @rinci@les inherent in the legal sstem% Instead 8: ch88sing am8ng a>aila=le descri@ti8ns?the8ries? >8ca=ularies? and c8urse 8: acti8n? the 8Hcial ;h8 :eels O=8undO reas8ns :r8mn8neistent Ogr8undsO and hides :r8m hersel: the :act that she is eercising @8;er . 16!

B sstematicall and c8nstantl criticiDing the rati8naliDati8ns :59 8: traditi8nal legal

reas8ning? ;e can dem8nstrate? again and again? that a ;ider range 8: alternati>es is

a>aila=le t8 us.

I there:8re ad>8cate the @ersistent dem8nstrati8n in all d8ctrinal Gelds that =8th thelegal rules in :8rce and the arguments that are @resented t8 usti: and criticiDe them are

inc8herent. 169 T- - ?+-- =ecause the are c8nstructed in ;as that mae itim@8ssi=le :8r them t8 satis: their 8;n claims t8 determinac? 8=ecti>it and neutralit .

170 Legal the8r is at ;ar ;ith itsel:% This ind 8: criticism ;8uld =e use:ul e>en i: ;ec8uld n8t imagine a satis:act8r alternati>e t8 traditi8nal legal the8r% Such criticismreminds us that legal the8r cann8t ans;er the uesti8n 8: h8; ;e are g8ing t8 li>et8gether% 3e are g8ing t8 ha>e t8 ans;er that uesti8n 8ursel>es .



Michigan Classic 2009 ( / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies




#####LI$&S/IM'ACTS




LI$& /IM'ACT,RI-TS 1/5

T-E AIRMATI)ES RAMI$ . T-E CASE AS A$ ISS!E . RI-TS RES!LTS I$ ALIE$ATI.$ ,I$"I)I"!ALS BEC.ME

'ASSI)E A$" "ISC.$$ECTE" EMPTY VESSELS "E'E$"E$T !'.$ T-E STATE%

P-- ABEL P+-+ + L - N- C+==-<- + C=+ S?++= + L 19(+:'T- P-+-+=+< + R<C+?+- - P? + - " S-=8-( Texas Law Review B62 T-F. L. R-8. 1563 MA8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-FN-F

I - + + -+ + - - + rights themsel>es - ? -- + - re@resent the Geld 8: s8cial interacti8n in the ser>ice 8: legaliDing its alienated a@@earances . A < --

@-+-+=+<?= -+. t8 the etent that indi>iduals are re@resented as Oha>ingOrights? these rights signi: s8cial e@eriences that are merel @8ssi=le rather than thee@eriences themsel>es% T8 the etent that ;e thin ;e ha>e Othe right t8 :ree s@eech?OOthe right t8 mae c8ntracts?O and s8 :8rth? ;e re@resent each indi>idual 8nt8l8gicall as=eing a @assi>e l8cus 8: @8ssi=le acti8n? rather than as in acti8n ;ith 8thers alread .

S-?+ these rights are c8ncei>ed as =eing granted t8 the indi>idual :r8m an 8utsides8urce? :r8m Othe StateO ;hich either creates them B - @+8 8-+ + - ?++= +<

?- 8r rec8gniDes them B - == 8-+ thr8ugh the @assage 8: Ola;s%O T ins8:aras the indi>idual emerges :r8m his @assi>e stati8n t8 act and interest ;ith 8thers 8n the=asis 8: his rights? :1577 he d8es s8 =ecause he has =een Oall8;edO t8 d8 s8 in ad>ance .

T intersu=ecti>e acti8n itsel: is c8ncei>ed t8 8ccur Othr8ughO 8r O= >irtue 8:O the

OeerciseO 8: these rights. T- ,-8+ + - , -==- + =- -@+ -@--- =-<= +< -=< + + +??< ?+--?- + - =-+ -F-?- + <- < ?=< - < +@-+ ?- ?+ , -@=+-- B-?-8< +- - < + -- @--? B?+?- + + <-- ?=+< @-@ -8- - < + -+ B ,-?- + - =-< + - -@=+- - -==- - +

+-+- -=-. S-- +=- --+- the O;8rldO 8: this rights<=ased schema is 8ne in ;hich8riginall @assi>e and disc8nnected indi>iduals enter int8 relati8ns ;ith each 8ther=ecause the are all8;ed t8? relati8ns ;hich ha>e the ualit 8: =eing O8aed inad>anceO =ecause the 8ccur 8nl ins8:ar as 8ne is engaging in the right t8 d8 them.

I + ,- -=-8- this @icture 8: the ;8rld is =ut an a=stract re@resentati8n 8: 8ur8;n alienated eF8rt t8 distance 8ursel>es :r8m each 8ther = re@resenting 8ur :alsesel>es as 8ur real sel>es? as O;h8 ;e reall are%O In Omaing it the la;O that indi>idualsare t8 =e c8ncei>ed 8: as 8riginall @assi>e and disc8nnected Oem@t >essels?O ;e secure8ur eF8rt t8 c8nstrain the acti>e m8>ement t8;ard c8nnecti8n that c8nstitutes 8ur true

t8getherness = dening that this m8>ement eists% B re@lacing this acti>e m8>ement 8: desire ;ith - < ?== the O@assi>e @8ssi=ilitO 8: Oha>ing rights?O ;e @lace theimmediac 8: 8ur li>ed e@erience in a ind 8: sus@ended animati8n that c8n:8rms@recisel t8 the dela<time that sel:<8=ser>ati8n inserts int8 8ur as<i: @er:8rmances% Ineuating OlegalO acti8n ;ith =eing Oall8;edO t8 act 8n the =asis 8: these rights? ;e maethis sel:<8=ser>ati8n a legal reuirement 8: s8cial acti8n itsel:? ust as sel:<8=ser>ati8n isan eistential characteristic 8: 8ur alienated eF8rt t8 =e @er@etuall O8n guard inad>anceO against the threat 8: ecessi>e sel:<re>elati8n. == = re@resenting them8>ement 8: the intersu=ecti>e li:e<;8rld as the ;8ring 8: a legal 8rder in ;hich ;einteract thr8ugh the OeerciseO 8: these rights? ;e assert the legalit 8: that ualit in8ur as<i: @er:8rmances that suggests acti8n at a distance :r8m itsel:? thus attri=uting t8this ualit an Oad>ance legitimacO that is intended t8 mae its illegitimac in>isi=le .





T-E AIRMATI)ES RI-TS<C.$SCI.!S$ESS CEME$TS ALIE$ATI.$ ,RI-TS .BSC!RE I$TERS!B4ECTI)E RELATI.$S %


I - + -?== -- ?- + -@--+ +- + @= Q== @ ?+?+- - +< , - ,+< + +,-8- , ?+?+- =- - < ?== -=@+?- +8- - ? < ==--@- < + - -=+@ + +< + + =-- @-+?- --=8-. "- ?+8- -? -- @-+?- - - :1579 @-- + - -,-?8- @== + -- - =+ ? + ++< - -- + -?- -- @-+?- , -@--< - =- ?-. I +- < + =-<= +< ?- -=+,-8< = - ?== @+- +?= -<> - += 8- + ?=-?+<;< = -- - + -F- - Q?= + + -F@=- +-+- @=< - +=- + =- ?+++. T += ,- - , -==- - ,-=- ?+- == +8- < @-+?-,-< + @ + --@ -= +- ?-. * =-<= +< -= ,- ?- ?- +?? -- + + + -

T- - + -+ ,-?+- @@- - - -=;- the legal th8ught ;hich ;e ha>e =eentaing as a ind 8: 8=ect in c8nsci8usness is actuall li>ed in e@erience as imagineds@eech. T ;hen ;e thin it? ;e are actuall seeing 8ursel>es s@ea it in the @resence8: an in>isi=le 8ther? as s8mething lie a dress rehearsal :8r the m8ment 8: e@ressi8n

itsel: . 22 A ins8:ar as ;e see 8ursel>es s@eaing it? ;e are ad8@ting the same @recauti8n;e reuire 8: all 8ur alienated @er:8rmances << ;e ;ithdra; 8ur 8;nm8st =eing :r8m 8ura@@earance as an 8ther t8 the 8ther and secure 8ur distance thr8ugh the >igilance 8: @er@etual sel:<8=ser>ati8n% This @-- < @?- + + ?- + ,-?- =-8- --

,=- == + -=;- + -- + ?+-?+ + ,=- -8- + -- ? + +- +- + -. * -

< =+ aHrms that 8ur =eing is intersu=ecti>e in its >er :8undati8n? and that ;e arein it t8gether e>en ;hen ;e :eel m8st al8ne.

$- 8- - - == - ?+- +?= +< - +8-- + -- -8- +< ?+-?+ + +- -- +< + -= + -F-?- <<- + 8-<+ + - =--++ + -F< =-<= +< == - +- ?+@=--. + -- = ++=+<?= - + +-8- -F @ + +8-- - =+ +- ,- -=;- =-<= +< @== -=;-+< - --=< + ,- ?+-?+ @+8- , + +=-@-+?-. "- 8- =- <=@- - @--?- + ,- ?+-?+ +- ?+8-< - S- ?+- :15!0 +< - ?= + + -=8-. "- 8- -- +-8- ? + - ,-=- - S- - + 8- =+ ?+-?

+- @+F?== +,-8-. A -- + +, - --= @+8-- ?+-?+ =+< <- + < ,- ?==- @+8-- --=< <- + - @-? + - <+-. T + - +- - --= - @+<? +?- - <? 8- + -- + - - S- -?- =- + - +- ---= - -,==++ 8- + += -- - @+ - -F@--?- - @--?- + - <.23 T-- -++ -8-= +,8+ ,-?- + ?+-?+ - -+ + -= , - =+ -F@- + =8-@--?-+-?+-?- I ?==< ,- ?+-?+ + + -@;- ?+- + ,=+?-=.

A ++ - ,-< + =++ + - Q ,- ?+-?+ +<+ =-<= +< - < ?== - =-

?+- + < --=8-. B re@resenting 8ur alienated @er:8rmances as eercises 8: therights t8 :reed8m 8: s@eech? :reed8m 8: c8ntract? eualit 8: 8@@8rtunit? g88d :aithc88@erati8n? and s8 8n? ;e Omae it the la;O that these @er:8rmances =e c8ncei>ed asem=8ding the ualities that ;8uld characteriDe genuine c8nnecti8n% 3hile at the @urel+= + mani:est le>el? these a=stract rights signi: 8nl the uni>ersall all8;ed @8ssi=leacti8ns a>aila=le t8 each indi>idual in sus@ended :8rm B- <- - 8- -- @+,=- ?+

?< -F-?- - +< @+?- + @=- -?+ 24 at the += + latent le>el thelin the t8talit 8: 8ur current alienated e@erience ;ith the realiDati8n 8: desire as ac8llecti>e :antas% T8 the etent that these legal images 8: 8ur eisting s8cial li:e @r8ducemere :antasies 8: c8nnecti8n? it seems accurate t8 sa that thr8ugh them ;e OuseO 8urdesire :8r c8nnecti8n t8 legitimiDe 8ur real a=sence 8: c8nnecti8n? ust as @atri8tism is8:ten used t8 @r8duce a :eeling 8: unreal s8lidarit in 8rder t8 den 8ur real e@erience8: a lac 8: s8lidarit. $- @+ 8ur @r8ducti8n 8: these legal images in c8mm8n:r8m 8ur dis@ersed and ;ithdra;n l8cati8ns re>eals 8ur residual 8nt8l8gical =8nd%Alth8ugh ;e are a=s8r=ed in a c8llecti>e :antas? ;e are actuall still t8gether ins8:ar as;e are O;atching the same m8>ie%O

B?+- + -F @<- % +< ?



Michigan Classic 2009 1* / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

LI$& /IM'ACT,RI-TS */5

B?+- + @-8+ @<- % +< ?

3e --+- can deGne the Osu=stitute c8nnecti8nO @r8>ided = :15!1 legal th8ught as anim@8>erished :8rm 8: actual c8nnecti8n ;e @artici@ate in a c8llecti>e :antas 8: c8nnecti8n ;hile c8m@rehending that ;e are t8gether in @artici@ating in it% And thedistincti>e signiGcance 8: this :eeling 8: su=stitute c8nnecti8n :8r maing legal th8ught

eFecti>e as a de:ense<mechanism is that it Otaes care 8: desire?O all8;ing us t8 su@@8rtthe asserti8n that ;e are alienated as a matter 8: la; = generating a c8mm8n :eelingthat denies that this alienati8n eists% .: c8urse ;e c8m@rehend that this :eeling isO:alseO in the same ;a that ;e c8m@rehend the artiGcialit 8: 8ur r8le<@er:8rmances?=ut n8netheless it assists us in ee@ing this c8m@rehensi8n 8ut 8: a;areness = lining;hat :eeling 8: c8nnecti8n there is ;ith ;hat ;e might call the dut t8 remainunc8nsci8us% T8 =e a;are 8: the lac threatens us n8t 8nl ;ith reli>ing the 8riginale@erience 8: l8ss? =ut ;ith l8sing e>en the su=stitute sense 8: sel: thr8ugh ;hich ;eha>e managed t8 c8>er it u@.

T+ + ;- - -< + I 8- =--= ?==- =-<= +< + - ?++= +<?- +

@= rights<c8nsci8usness I += is intended t8 secure the denial 8: desire in the:ace 8: c8ntingenc and the :ear 8: l8ss = re@resenting 8ur :alse sel>es as legallc8m@elled% 3e guard 8ursel>es against the ris 8: taing eistential acti8n against 8uralienati8n = re@eatedl telling 8ursel>es that 8ur alienati8n is ine>ita=le? ;hile at thesame time dening that this alienati8n eists% And = acting t8;ard each 8ther as i: ;e=elie>e all this and that it must =e =elie>ed? ;e c8erce each 8ther int8 remaining @assi>e8=ser>ers 8: 8ur 8;n sus@ended e@erience? hiding t8gether inside the an8nmit 8: artiGcial sel:<@resentati8ns that @er@etuall ee@ us l8ced in a state 8: mutual distance.



Michigan Classic 2009 1+ / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

LI$& /IM'ACT,RI-TS +/5

AC-IE)I$ REC.$ITI.$ . RI-TS IS A $ET<$EATI)E ,"I)ERSI.$ A$" "E$IAL %


3hen State 8Hcials ,--= =egin t8 rec8gniDe the m8>ements s@eciGc demands in the

:8rm 8: rights<>ict8ries? the d8 s8 ;ith the h8@e that the m8>ement ;ill Otric itsel:Oint8 euating these >ict8ries ;ith its 8;n internal ends% As State 8Hcials n8; @er:ectl;ell? it is n8t necessar 8r e>en c8ncei>a=le that the m8>ement ;ill acce@t theacuisiti8n 8: a :e; rights as all that it means t8 acc8m@lish% It is necessar 8nl that them8>ement di>ert itsel: :r8m its authentic sel:<understanding en8ugh t8 decei>e itsel: int8thining that its 8=ecti>es c8uld e>entuall =e realiDed thr8ugh eisting la;? as i: alienati8n c8uld e>er =e 8>erc8me ;ith its 8;n agreement% 8r State 8Hcialsc8m@rehend in their =eing that 8nce this di>ersi8n 8ccurs? the m8>ement ;ill tendincreasingl t8 see its 8;n ca@acit t8 realiDe itsel: as l8cated 8utside 8: itsel: in OtheState?O and t8 that degree its trans:8rmati>e m8mentum ;ill tend t8 c8lla@se :r8m ;ithin+ -+ -?,- -=-> O=elie: in the StateO itsel: deri>es :r8m the reci@r8cal denial 8: desire that di>ides us :r8m each 8ther = 8ur r8le<@er:8rmances and that secures thea@@arent realit 8: these @er:8rmances thr8ugh 8ur c8llecti>e 8=edience t8 a @r8ected

auth8rit% Thus the rec8gniti8n 8: the m8>ements demands = State 8Hcials is actuall a@seud8<rec8gniti8n =ecause it intends t8 stri@ these demands 8: their uni>ersal andtrans:8rmati>e meaning and t8 induce the m8>ement t8 gras@ itsel: as a Orec8gniDed@articularit?O @laing its @art al8ng ;ith all 8: the 8thers in the circle 8: c8llecti>e denialthat :8rms the alienated ;h8le.

ALL RI-TS ARE C.!$TER<'R."!CTI)E,$. RIS& . A LI$& T!R$%


* it is ;r8ng t8 thin that the critiue 8: rights is Oust a matter :159! 8: degree?O 8rthat all ;e need is t8 get the g88d meaning 8: rights int8 the la; and get rid 8: the =admeaning? 8r that ;hat ;e need are c8llecti>e rights instead 8: indi>idual rights 8r humanrights instead 8: @r8@ert rights% And it is =+ ;r8ng t8 thin that a trans:8rmati8nm8>ement can =e ad>anced = a c8nce@tualiDed Oc8m=inati8nO 8: rights<>ict8ries at thelegal le>el and c8mmunit 8rganiDing at the grass<r88ts le>el? as i: ;e c8uld @r8duce auantit 8: m8>ement and then :reeDe it in st8ne? and then an8ther and :reeDe that inst8ne? until ;e had the right t8 e>erthing ;e ;anted% T8 thin an 8: these things is t8@artici@ate in the illusi8n that the right t8 an e@erience can create the e@erience itsel:?and t8 re>erse the true relati8nshi@ =et;een the meaning 8: >er=al c8nce@ts and theualitati>e 8r li>ed milieu 8ut 8: ;hich the arise . + @+ + 8- the critiue 8: rights isa critiue 8: that re>ersalK it is aimed at clari:ing the @8ssi=le eistential meanings thatrights can acuire 8nce their true relati8nshi@ t8 eistence itsel: has =een underst88d.





T-E C.STS . RI-TS )ICT.RIES .!T3EI- T-E BE$EITS,C..'TATI.$ IS I$E)ITABLE%


* - =-< -< + < ? 88- += + - -<-- - +8-- -= - 8=

;hile a rights<>ict8r can =8th strengthen the m8>ements c8nGdence and a;aen a:eeling 8: @8ssi=ilit am8ng a great man @e8@le? it can :8r these >er reas8ns ;8r t8c8ntain the m8>ement and ultimatel c8ntri=ute t8 su=duing its trans:8rmati>e @8tential%8r the @8ssi=ilit that is either strengthened 8r a;aened = such @u=lic >ict8ries B?

- +,8+= + =- + <8?+- is the @8ssi=ilit that O;eO ;ill actuall ha>e t8 change?and in a ;a that ;8uld reuire us =8th t8 8@en 8ursel>es t8 each 8ther in a ne; ;a andt8 a=and8n the :8rms 8: su=stitute c8nnecti8n thr8ugh ;hich ;e ha>e de:ended8ursel>es against such an 8@enness :8r a l8ng time% The >er success 8: the m8>ement?there:8re? e>8es in a s8me;hat heightened ;a the :ear 8: l8ss that the m8>ementintends t8 sur@ass? and it d8es s8 n8t 8nl in th8se ;h8 are m8st 8@@8sed t8 them8>ement? =ut als8 in th8se ;h8 c8nstitute it% T I 8- @=?- +- -F<<-- -@+ - =-< ??- + -- +8---F@--?- +- + - - -?@+ @+,=- , + +-+ @?@- ? -F@--?- ? = + -?+<;- - ,8=-?- ?++- + ,8=-?- - ? + - < ?== +< =? + ?+Q-?- - ?+- + - +- +- + -

8+ + + 8+=-?- - =-8-=- < - +8-- + - +-. 36 3hile m8>ements can :ailt8 realiDe their dee@est 8=ecti>es :8r a great man reas8ns =e8nd their c8ntr8l? thisinc8m@lete c8nGdence acc8unts in large @art :8r the @hen8men8n 8: Oc88@tati8n?Othr8ugh ;hich a m8>ement gi>es u@ 8n these 8=ecti>es ;ith its 8;n acc8rd.




LI$& /IM'ACT,'.SITI)E RI-TS 1/2

'.SITI)E RI-TS 3ILL $.T BE E$.RCE",I$"ETERMI$AC !ARA$TEES AIL!RE%

*. CR.SS H-,- D. K-==-- C--= P+-+ + *- L - U8- + T-F

A P+-+ + L - U8- + T-F L S?++= 2001:'T- E+ + P+8- R<( UCLA Law Review B4! UCLA L. R-8. !57 A@= A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-FN-F

Because 8: the ec8n8mics 8: rights en:8rcement and the strategic c8ncerns 8: the udiciar? udges are liel t8 d8 >er little t8 @r8m8te the ends c8mmanded = th8serights. O- -+ such @8siti>e rights? = their nature? are highl indeterminate. H-+ ?+=-<- @+8- -=- < - -F@=- + --?J -< ?+ + ?++- + +<

?+-- 8=- + -=-?+ ?- - ?- + @--? ++ +8- ?-. 250 3hileall language is s8me;hat am=igu8us? @8siti>e rights ;8uld suFer :r8m @articularindeterminac. T- -+ + --? such rights are c8nseuentialist? reuiringthe udiciar t8 create a @r8gram that achie>es a gi>en result . 251 T ??-? @+8-+- , + << @+8- -<8- < - +- ?== + @-?Q? -= =- - =- @=-<=- @?= ?+ + ?+?. 252

A8+?- +,-8- @+8- < - + ,- 8<- ---. T- =? + ?+?-@= ?= -@-- -+ +,?=- + - @=--+. 253 T- -?,- @+8- < + + ++ +@-=-= 8<- ---. 254 "=- - 8<- -- - ?+= ,- -Q- <8- <-- --? +8- -. 255

M? + - ?+ + - --? -<< @+8- < -=- + -Q< - ,?- + - < -=-= == :902 ?- ?+- <+- - +- -+ --? ,+ @+8- <

-=< + - ?+--= -. E>en i: ;e c8uld deGne @recisel ;hat the @88r ;ere entitledt8? there remains the uesti8n 8: ;hat @r8gram ;8uld eFect that entitlement% Current@8licmaers might =e una=le t8 deGne the acti8ns that ;8uld ensure a minimallsuHcient li>ing standard :8r all Americans . I - ?+-F + -=- @+=? a O@rime diHcult isthat 8: assuring that the actual eFects 8: a measure in :act c8n:8rm t8 its intended8=ecti>es%O 256




LI$& /IM'ACT,'.SITI)E RI-TS 2/2

T-E AIRMATI)ES "EE$SE . '.SITI)E RI-TS RE)EALS A BLI$" AIT- I$ T-E MAIC . T-E 4!"ICIAR ,T-IS

I$.RES T-E MATERIAL REALIT . LEAL I$"ETERMI$AC %

*. CR.SS H-,- D. K-==-- C--= P+-+ + *- L - U8- + T-F

A P+-+ + L - U8- + T-F L S?++= 2001:'T- E+ + P+8- R<( UCLA Law Review B4! UCLA L. R-8. !57 A@= A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-F

N-F

C++= the case :8r @8siti>e rights im@licitl @resumes that udges are =ene>8lentmagicians? ;illing and a=le t8 ;a>e a ;and and there= dis@el the sad c8nditi8ns 8: @8>ert. 401 I: n8t ;iDards? udges are at least regarded as @hil8s8@her<ings ;h8 can=8th @ercei>e and create a ust s8ciet. 402 Realisticall? udges :8r @ragmatic reas8ns;ill d8 little t8 en:8rce :924 @8siti>e rights? e>en ;ere the :8rmall rec8gniDedc8nstituti8nall% I: udges did in>8l>e themsel>es acti>el in the eF8rt t8 secure suchrights? the ;8uld @r8=a=l mae matters ;8rse% The case :8r @8siti>e rights ign8res theide8l8gical inJuences 8n udicial decisi8n maing ? -- - =-<=- @-@8-= +-

,=- +. 403 The case ign8res the strictures 8: the @r8cess 8: litigati8n? ;hich is less@r8mising :8r the @88r than is the legislati>e @r8cess . 404 The case err8ne8usl @resumesthat the c8urts can discern the @8lic =est suited t8 achie>ing the desired c8nseuentialends? ;hen in :act the legislature is =etter suited :8r this g8al. 405 == the case@resumes that udges can eFecti>el im@lement their decisi8ns? ;hen in :act suchim@lementati8n is highl uncertain and might in :act =e c8unter@r8ducti>e . 406 These:8ur :ailings d88m an h8@es that the rec8gniti8n 8: @8siti>e rights ;ill im@r8>e the li>es8: the intended =eneGciaries.



Michigan Classic 2009 1( / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

LI$& /IM'ACT,C.$STIT!TI.$ 1/2

T-E AIRMATI)ES "EE$SE . T-E C.$STIT!TI.$ A$" C.$STIT!TI.$AL )AL!ES IS A C.LLECTI)E "EE$SE MEC-A$ISM T-AT RELIE)ES I$"I)I"!ALS . T-E RES'.$SIBILIT T. MA&E ET-ICAL "ECISI.$S ,T-IS 'R.CESS .

.!TS.!RCI$ RES'.$SIBILIT C.$STR!CTS I$"I)I"!ALS AS EM'T )ESSELS A$" CEME$TS ALIE$ATI.$ %

P-- ABEL P+-+ + L - N- C+==-<- + C=+ S?++= + L 19(+:'T- P-+-+=+< + R<C+?+- - P? + - " S-=8-( Texas Law Review B62 T-F. L. R-8. 1563 M

A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-FN-F

N+ + - -F@--?- - -F@--?- + -8-+- =-- <+@ each @ers8n@er@etuall :eels at 8nce unc8nnected t8 e>er8ne else and et ani8usl c8mmitted t8the @retense 8: c8nnecti8n that is mani:ested in the reci@r8cit 8: r8les% Thus e>er8ne?:r8m his 8r her 8;n ;ithdra;n >antage<@8int? c8m@rehends that the c8mm8n @retense 8: c8nnecti8n reuires an Oadditi8nal su@@8rtO 8: s8me ind i: each @ers8n is t8 sustain theclaim? e@ressed thr8ugh each @ers8ns :alse sel:? that the @retense 8: c8nnecti8n is anactual c8nnecti8n% This sim@l re@eats the @r8=lem 8: c8ntingenc? 8: the 8@en teture 8: s8cial eistence? as it a@@ears at the le>el 8: Os8ciet as a ;h8leO rather than at the le>el8: a single instituti8n 8r a t;8<@ers8n interacti8n.

H+ ? <+@ - , ,-?- + ?+-?+ -- -= ??-;- , - @--?- + ?+-?+* ?+@< + -@-- -= + -= @+=?== ?+- +< - - + -,+- = + ,+=? +,-? ++< - - + 8-,= ?+?-@ ? -== - + + ?++. I + - - B? I - + +

- - -= + +- -8- ,-=-8- - + + , + =+< -? @-+ - ,-=- @ + + - @-+?- -- ,-=- +- - @-+?- + - +- - =- <+@ ? @@-?- -= <+@.

8r th8se 8: us gathered ;ithin the ge8gra@hical =8rders 8: the !nited States? the >er=alc8nce@ts that @ur@8rt t8 c8nstitute 8ur gr8u@ + are c8ntained in OtheC8nstituti8n?O 17 ;hich signiGes =8th an 8riginal m8ment in ;hich ;e su@@8sedl camet8gether t8 :8rm Oa uni8n?O and the schema = ;hich ;e are t8 re@r8duce 8ur gr8u@c8nnecti8n thr8ugh the re@r8ducti8n 8: Othe State?O and thr8ugh :1574Q Othe :8ll8;ing 8: la;sO created and inter@reted = this OState%O These la;s deGne h8; ;e are Oall8;ed t8actO in the :8rm 8: Orights%O I - + -F- - -=+@ + ?- + - - -F@--?- + -

=-- 8= I 8- ;- - ? ?+8- + - ?- -- + =-<=;- -F@--?- + +< - - -@+?+ + =-+ ?++ + <+@ -,-@.

+ == --= + +?- alth8ugh this c8nstituti8nal scheme is inscri=ed s8me;here8n @a@er as a c8llecti8n 8: ;8rd<arti:acts? it is li>ed ;ithin c8nsci8usness as a :8rm 8: re@resentati8nal th8ught? intenti8nall O=r8ught t8 mindO in c8ncrete eistentialm8ments. A -- +- + ?8? ?= + =- @+< +8- ,- + +< + - P-+@=-J C+-- +- -- + ,- <--- -@+- + + --= + +?= ?+?. * , ?+? I + + + ? -+8- + + +?= @+ I + - -F-= ?+? ?+8- + =-+ -=. T I += -+-< =- @?+=? 8- +<?- ,+< + +- + =- -<= -8= +-+ @??- ?+< - +8-- + -- - + - @--8+ + - =- -=. I -@-? I

<<-- -=- the th8ught<schema resem=les a c8llecti>e de:ense mechanism thr8ugh;hich the gr8u@ all8cates t8 >ari8us 8: its mem=ers the tas 8: inducing in a c8ntr8lled;a the aniet ass8ciated ;ith the ris 8: relie>ing a shared l8ss? and then res8l>ing theaniet thr8ugh the @r8clamati8n 8: c8rrect th8ught. 1!

T- Q @+ + ,- -@;- ,+ - 8- - + ?++= +<?- @@- ?+?+- +-< +,-8- , ?+?+-. I -- @+@-= ?==- -@--+ + -

-,-?8- =-+= ? + --- @-?-= ,-?- @--8- - ??- + - +,-8<-=. & - =-- 8= -< ?- + - +- - -= + -,-?8- ?+ , -@--=?< @-+?- + - - -< - +,-8< - -@--+ + =-<= +<. "-? +- --? +,-8< = - ?< =- - <- + -? +-> -- ?=- + -<= -- < @+- :1575 - - +- -- + -- , - - -< - +<=+ + +--- --@ -.

B?+- + -F @<- % +< ?




LI$& /IM'ACT,C.$STIT!TI.$ 2/2

B?+- + @-8+ @<- % +< ?

I - = + +,-8+ ??-;- +- @=++@- ?== - +-? @+=- 19 + =-<= +<B-< @= - =+?+ ?+?+- + ? +< <--- - -@--+= ?- -= ?+ - +-? @+=- B+ - - - +,-8- -8-= ?8- ++ + - - -F-= = + -

-,-?8- =-+=. + ;hile eistential realit is al;as li>ed here and n8; as ane@eriential relati8n =et;een a deGnite 8u and me? the O;8rldO 8: legal th8ught is +

< drained 8: eistential ualit? ;hich is t8 sa 8: all >italit% 3e Gnd an a=stracts8mething called Os8cietO inha=ited 8r Oli>ed inO = a c8llecti8n 8: disc8nnected andan8nm8us Oindi>idualsO ;h8 :8rm an8ther s8mething called Othe State?O and s8 8n . M@+ -- + + ??;- - ?+- + +=8- ,-< ++ 8=? , - + -@;- -=-+=- =. N+ + I - - -8=;- = + += -= + ,-< -8+ + ?++ ?=- , -F + - - -<<- - ?8 + -F-?< - < -=+

+ -? +- -=+ + - <+@ +=- -+- - S-. 20 M @+ - theseacti8ns lac an :1576 sense 8: the immediac and c8ntingenc 8: trul li>ed enc8unters.

$- - -?== - --8- -+ +8- - @+?+ + -- <- - ? -- - -8=;-??- -= + --+ + - - = - -= += ,- ?+?-8- -?= =--

@@-?-. in @lace 8: an intersu=ecti>e milieu characteriDed = e@eriential c8nJict=et;een the desire :8r c8nnecti8n and the need t8 den this desire? ;e are gi>en discreteindi>iduals ;h8se desire has =een denied in ad>ance =ecause their >er discreteness

se>ers the 8nt8l8gical lin =et;een sel: and 8ther that is c8nstituti>e 8: real s8cialeistence. S-?+ the ualit 8: an8nmit that is characteristic 8: the alienated r8le<@er:8rmance B ?+?-=< +-J -= -= , +@< - <-- + , -==- is @resented asc8nstituti>e 8: each discrete indi>iduals legal identit he 8r she is n8t an eistings8me8ne =ut a Orights<=earing citiDen?O ;h8 eists as n8<8ne<in<@articular in relati8n t88ther indi>iduals 8: the same t@e. $+ += ,- - + -@ + -- + 8=

@ + - ?+?-- @?= , + +. + the characteriDati8n 8: Orights<=earing citiDenOhas the intended eFect 8: erasing the c8ncrete and c8mm8n realit in ;hich ;e act 8ndesire and re@lacing it ;ith a =lan and disem=8died realit c8m@rised 8: ;hat ;e mightcall Oem@t >esselsO ;h8 act 8nl ins8:ar as the ha>e =een Glled ;ith Orights%O It is thisem@t<>essel ualit 8: the Orights<=earing citiDenO that re@resents Oin la;O thean8nm8us? a=sence<8:<=eing ualit 8: the alienated r8le<@er:8rmance.




LI$& /IM'ACT,REE S'EEC-/1ST AME$"ME$T 1/2

T-E AIRMATI)ES "EE$SE . REE S'EEC- I$.RES ITS I$"ETERMI$AC ,REE S'EEC- REI$.RCES !$EN!AL '.3ER RELATI.$S A$" E$S!RES 3I"E<SCALE "ISE$RA$C-ISEME$T %

D8 & AIRS P+-+ + L T-@=- U8- 199(:'--+ + S@--?( The Politics of Law A Pro!ressive Criti"ue E- , D8 K P,=- , *? *++ IS*N0465059597 @. 190191

T- ,? @?@=- 8= <+@ - -- + -F@- -- @+@= 8- + @+ - +@- <- - ??-@?- - U- S- + ? - - <= @+. I -?- -=-- + -- -+?? +?- @-,=- + ,+ - 8= +?- <--==. "+ --+ + -F@-+- 8= + = -- ?+ ,- ?8- @?@ + -=-@-? < =- ?+< +- @ + +?-. EF@-+ + +-< @-+@=- + - --@- -- -<= @ + @-+@=--. S+?- ?+ --?8-= -+=8- ?+? + ?+@-< - -- <--- - - ?+-+??== + ,= =- 8= - -- + -F@- --=8-. T- +- + -- @--? ++??+ @-+@=- - -F@+- + - - Q @ @-< + +-8- , = @?- +--+- 8- - - =- < -@- ??-@?-.

"=- - @?@=- + -- @--? - ? +- A-? @+=? ?=-. ree s@eech is8:ten discussed as i: it deGned a @8litical 8r ec8n8mic sstem rather than a series 8: rules@r8hi=iting g8>ernmental limits 8n indi>idual e@ressi8n% It is ;hat maes us g88d? and=etter than 8ther c8untries and @e8@le% reed8m 8: s@eech is at the c8re 8: 8ur nati8nalidentit.

$- the American cele=rati8n 8: :ree s@eech is unsettling? c8ntradict8r? and uitec8m@le% The in>8cati8n 8: :ree s@eech gains ;ide acce@tance ;hen :8rmulated generalland a=stracted :r8m current c8ntr8>ersies 8r ;hen aimed at re@ressi>e @ractices in 8therc8untries% But s@eciGc a@@licati8ns in the !nited States are regularl greeted ;ithc8ntem@t? e>ident in the recurring c8ntr8>ersies 8>er Jag =urning? dem8nstrati8ns =ne8<$aDis? and + -?-= OindecencO 8n the Internet% There is :- @<- 190 c8nsidera=lless than a c8nsensus a=8ut 8r a ;ides@read understanding 8: the =asic as@ects 8: American s@eech la; that trul distinguish it :r8m m8re restricti>e la;s and @ractices@re>alent alm8st e>er;here else in the ;8rld% The reecti8n 8: limits 8n un:ettereddissent and criticism? e@ressi8n in a >ariet 8: @laces and a >ariet 8: ;as? the@resum@ti8n 8: the @rimac 8: e@ressi8n 8>er c8m@eting c8ncerns? the @resum@ti8nagainst restricti8n 8: s@eech =ased 8n its c8ntent B- ?+- ,-—all are c8ntr8>ersial

8n the h8me Geld 8: :ree s@eech and ma n8 l8nger c8mmand su@@8rt :r8m a ma8rit 8: the @8@ulati8n.

A des@ite all the rhet8ric a=8ut :ree s@eech and 8ur dem8cratic @8litical @r8cess? a >erlarge @r8@8rti8n 8: us,@erha@s m8st,:eel silenced and disen:ranchised% There is a;ides@read rec8gniti8n acr8ss the @8litical s@ectrum that the American @e8@le lac theeFecti>e means t8 =e heard 8r t8 translate their ;ishes int8 realit thr8ugh the @8litical@r8cess% There is ,-- + +- - a crisis 8: dem8crac and :reed8m that has =eenign8red = @u=lic 8Hcials and the media .

In c8ntem@8rar @8litics? la;? and culture? :ree s@eech and irst Amendment<=ased :rees@eech rights are idealiDed? their sc8@e and degree 8: acce@tance are eaggerated? andtheir sh8rtc8mings are hidden and ign8red% The mths run dee@? sustained and =ased t8a signiGcant etent 8n mthic st8ries and analses 8: the 8rigin and hist8r 8: :ree

s@eech in the !nited States. D-@- @-- , +@-?Q? ---?- + + + =-<= @+@==-- + < + -- @--? - + -F- -- = + @??- = ,? ++ + - =<+8-< @--? < - @-+ + ,+ 1919 + 1940. *-+- - ++ +- @+- @,=?= += -?-+ + =+?= +-- --= +- + +- @+,- - + -= -<- + -?+ + + -. U= 8- -?-= ?++= - - ?+ = -8- -- --+ <Q? ?+ -?+ + --+ + @--? ,-+- "+= " I += --- @--? =-<==@+-?- , - S@-- C+ -- + -8- ?-. P+@= =-- -<== -F- -- ?+?-@+ +-,?- - - --+ + @--? ?+-+- + - C++ - , + + ?+.

A ? =++ + @+8- ?+?-- -8- @< -F@=- + @+@== <- ?-8- +?= ?== ?<- -=@ - - ?- - + A-? -- @--? -+??.




LI$& /IM'ACT,REE S'EEC-/1ST AME$"ME$T 2/2

T-E 1ST AME$"ME$T IS A$ I$STR!ME$T . 'RI)ILEE ,T-E 3EALT- E6'L.IT IT T. S!''RESS T-E '..R%

M T!S-$ET P+-+ + L - G-+<-+ U8- L C-- 19(+:'A E + R<( Texas Law Review B62 T-F. L. R-8. 1363 M A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-FN-F

The Grst amendment has re@laced the due @r8cess clause as the @rimar guarant8r 8: the@ri>ileged. I-- it @r8tects the @ri>ileged m8re @ernici8usl than the due @r8cess clausee>er did. E8- - - - @+?- ?=- ++ - += + @-?Q? =-<=+ -<- + -?- -

,--Q + @8=-<-. T+ ?+ the Grst amendment stands as a general 8=structi8n t8 all@r8gressi>e legislati>e eF8rts% T8 @r8tect their @8siti8ns 8: @ri>ilege? the ;ealth canmae @rudent in>estments either in @8litical acti8n 8r +- ?+8-+== in :act8ries 8rst8cs% But since the demise 8: su=stanti>e due @r8cess? their in>estments in :act8riesand st8cs can =e regulated = legislatures. 73 U- *?=- 8. V=-+ 74 N+= * 8.

*-==+ 75 h8;e>er? their in>estments in @8litics << 8r @8liticians << cann8t =e regulatedsigniGcantl. 76 N--=- + care:ul in>estment in @8litics ma @re>ent eFecti>eregulati8n 8: traditi8nal in>estments.




LI$& /IM'ACT,T-E STATE 1/1

T-E AIRMATI)ES CALL .R T-E STATE T. TA&E ACTI.$ T. REME" T-E -ARMS RELIES .$ LA3E" A$"

"A$ER.!S ASS!M'TI.$S,T-EIR S'EEC- ACT LE$"S '.LITICAL A!T-.RIT T. T-E STATE T-AT E$S!RES ALIE$ATI.$ %

P-- ABEL P+-+ + L - N- C+==-<- + C=+ S?++= + L 19(+:'T- P-+-+=+< + R<C+?+- - P? + - " S-=8-( Texas Law Review B62 T-F. L. R-8. 1563 M

A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-FN-F" - - - + - + - S- + - -=+@ + - <,-- + I - - - ? , ,-<==+- + ? -8- + - -=+,-8< = + + +=-@-+?- :157! + + + -=+,-8+ -@--- - ?++= +<?- - S- T- - + -+ + --=+@ ,--- - - + + I 8- -=- -?,- - ?++ -- - =-- <+@ +

?+- -= - Q @=?-. + ins8:ar as 8ur as<i: @er:8rmances reuire the @r8ecti8n 8: ac8mm8n auth8rit that is O=elie>ed inO as th8ugh it eisted inde@endent 8: this @r8ecti8n<< a reuirement that deri>es :r8m the need t8 gi>e these @er:8rmances a :88th8ld in=eing s8 as t8 den their >er as<i:<ness << this auth8rit must =e re@resented in legalth8ught% And it is this auth8rit that is re@resented in the :8rm 8: a OState?O ;hich @assesthe la;s that create 8r rec8gniDe 8ur rights . 21 This is ;h ;e a@@ear t8 8ursel>es inlegal th8ught as eisting OunderO la; it is this re@resentati8n 8: the OunderneathnessO 8: the rights<=earing citiDens that c8rres@8nds t8 the 8=edient ualit 8: 8ur r8le<@er:8rmances themsel>es% et the @articular meaning that the State acuires as a

@8litical auth8rit deri>es :r8m the :elt need t8 Oc8nstituteO 8ursel>es as a de:enseagainst the e@erience 8: alienati8n itsel:? an e@erience 8: :eeling Ounc8nstituted?O 8: :eeling unc8nnected ;hile @retending t8 =e c8nnected% And the ;a that ;e c8nstitute8ursel>es thr8ugh the State is re>ealed in the r8le that ;e all8cate t8 it in legal th8ught?as the entit that Oall8;sO us t8 act = granting us 8ur rights% 3e c8nstitute 8ursel>esthr8ugh the State = c8llecti>el agreeing t8 attri=ute t8 it 8ur 8;n @8;ers 8: sel:<8=ser>ati8n? thus maing it the @8liticall legitimate Ore>ie;ing agencO that ser>es asthe auth8rit :8r 8ur alienated 8r OdelaedO acti8ns. I --+- -- ??- + the Stateacuires its @8litical auth8rit = re@resenting the actual unit 8: the ;ithdra;n sel>es?t8 the degree that ;e each? thr8ugh a silent agreement? @r8ect 8nt8 it the @8;er t8c8nstitute us as alienated =eings.




LI$& /IM'ACT,T-E LA3 1/1

T-E AIRMATI)ES AIT- I$ T-E LA3 IS MIS'LACE" ,T-E RIS& . A!T-.RITARIA$ISM IS -I- %


Because la; is a ma8r t88l 8: s8cial and @8litical @8;er? and =ecause it is the @rimar

instrument :8r a g8>ernment t8 legitimate itsel: and acc8m@lish its 8=ecti>es? la; is>ulnera=le t8 Oca@tureO :8r su=stanti>el auth8ritarian @ur@8ses. L = ,- + - += -- ,-?- + @-- + = @-+@=- == ??-@ +,- ,- +- -F+

Q?+. 24 $- a uris@rudential @re8ccu@ati8n ;ith the dut t8 8=e la; and theauth8rit 8: la; 25 8>erl88 la;s tendenc t8 >alidate and :acilitate 8@@ressi8n and>i8lence? ;hether = the state directl 8r = @ri>ate act8rs ;ith tacit state a@@r8>al%

4udges ma @artici@ate in auth8ritarian uses 8: la; = unuesti8ning 8=edience t8 ruleand 8ther auth8rities? = using stere8t@ical reas8ning? = u@h8lding the status u8 andh@8statiDing @8;er relati8nshi@s? and = taing a @unishing attitude t8;ardsdis8=edience. 26 A R+,- C+8- +- D8 L, -?-= <- - S@-- C+ - ?- + "=- 8.C + *< 27 :3!4 -<<- + -?+< , +=< ?8= < ?- ?+= ,-@- + +,-< ?+ - C+ -?=- ?++=. P+-+ L, ?+?=- - C+ "=- :?< ?+?- ,--- - + ?+--?- + =,-= ?++= - +8--=<-- + -8--?- + + . . . +@- + - =-. 2!




LI$& /IM'ACT,S!'REME C.!RT 1/2

T-E AIRMATI)ES CALL .R T-E S!'REME C.!RT T. TA&E ACTI.$ T. REME" T-E -ARMS CEME$TS S.CIAL ALIE$ATI.$ ,.!TS.!RCI$ RES'.$SIBILIT .R ET-ICAL "ECISI.$<MA&I$ TA&ES .!T A$" T!R$S T-E CASE%

P-- ABEL P+-+ + L - N- C+==-<- + C=+ S?++= + L 19(+:'T- M P?+=+< + - N- --=> H+ - *<- C+J P+=?= I<- L-<;- - P8;+ + E8-L-( #eor!e $ashin!ton Law Review B52 G-+. ". L. R-8. 263 & A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-FN-F

A=+< I ,-=-8- *=J @@+? ? - ,- + - -- - ,? -+ - +- +> - =- +

-?+<;- the Su@reme C8urt is :undamentall a Ggment 8: the cultural imaginati8n

its true r8le is t8 =e :8und n8t in the direct @ractical c8nseuences 8: the 8utc8mes 8: its decisi8ns ;ith the @8litics 8: these 8utc8mes =eing mstiGed = ide8l8g =ut ratherin the ide8l8g itsel: as a set 8: cultural images that are intended t8 gi>e a :alse @8liticallegitimac t8 the s8cial 8rder. L- - -8-=+@ -= - - + *=J = +- + --@- ??+?- - 8- + - C+ I @+@+<.

C8ntem@8rar American s8ciet is a net;8r 8: hierarchies ;ithin ;hich @e8@le :eel@r8:8undl is8lated :r8m 8ne an8ther% Alth8ugh ;e l8ng t8 8>erc8me the is8lati8n andmutual distrust that characteriDes hierarchical li:e? ;e are als8 a:raid t8 mae theattem@t =ecause :r8m the >antage @8int 8: 8ur distance :r8m 8ne an8ther? the :ragilit 8: 8ur c8mm8n desire seems n8 match :8r the alienati8n that c8ntains it% The ris 8: a

humiliating and e>en >i8lent reecti8n = 8thers al;as seems >er great% aced ;ith thisc8nJict? 8ur hist8r taes 8n the ualit 8: a d8u=le<m8>ement% Because 8: 8ur :ear? thehierarchies tend t8 re@8rduce themsel>es generati8n a:ter generati8n in the :8rm 8: classd8minati8n? racial and seual 8@@ressi8n? and in man 8ther ;as that need n8t =ereduced t8 these c8n>enti8nal categ8ries ? - -?-- -=+@. et? =ecause 8: 8ur desire t8 8>erc8me the inhumanit and @8;erlessness inherent in these hierarchicalc8nditi8ns? ;e are c8ntinuall :8rming int8 gr8u@s that challenge the ;a things are? inm8>ements lie the la=8r m8>ement? 8r the ci>il<rights m8>ement? 8r the ;8mensm8>ement? 8r in >er dis8rganiDed ;as as ;as the case :8r the 0s c8unter<culture.

S+-- -? +?- - + @@- -- ?==-<- + - -?- , it is much m8re eFecti>e:8r th8se ;h8 ;ish t8 maintain the status u8 t8 get @e8@le t8 c8nsent t8 it% T8 d8 thisthe c8nJict that is generated ;ithin the hierarchies must =e c8ntinuall mediated =

@e8@le ;h8se 8= it is t8 @r8duce illusi8ns a=8ut the ustness 8: the eisting 8rder.

.ne might descri=e such @e8@le as @r8ducers 8: :alse +?= -<. :265 In @lace 8: the@ain:ul a=sence 8: c8nnectedness that is at the heart 8: @e8@les actual e@erience 8: thehierarchical ;8rld? the c8n>e :alse @ictures 8: s8cial li:e that attem@t t8 @r8>ide @e8@le;ith a su=stitute and :antas<=ased :eeling 8: c8nnecti8n ;ith 8thers% This -- + - is;here the Su@reme C8urt c8mes in% The 8=ecti>e 8: the Su@reme C8urt is t8 @aci:c8nJict thr8ugh the mediati8n 8: a :alse s8cial<meaning sstem? a set 8: ideas andimages a=8ut the ;8rld ;hich ser>e t8da as the secular eui>alent 8: religi8us ide8l8gin @re>i8us hist8rical @eri8ds% Either a c8nJict is assimilated int8 an eisting @re>ailing;8rld<>ie;? 8r the eisting ;8rld<>ie; acc8mm8dates itsel: s8me;hat t8 a=s8r= thec8nJict. 3 But in either case the 8=ecti>e is t8 maintain a relati>el c8herent? th8ugh:alse? sense 8: s8cial<meaning and c8nnecti8n.

B?+- + -F @<- % +< ?




LI$& /IM'ACT,S!'REME C.!RT 2/2

B?+- + @-8+ @<- % +< ?

The :alse s8cial<meaning sstem + ? I -- is the entire uni>erse 8: American @8liticalthe8r% r8m the time that ;e are =8rn int8 the hierarch<net;8r and the is8lati8n thatit :8rces u@8n us? each 8: us is c8nditi8ned t8 =elie>e that in s@ite 8: the lac 8: c8nnecti8n that ;e e@erience in 8ur c8ncrete and immediate dail li>es? ;e are actuall

8ined t8gether in a great dem8cratic gr8u@%As a de:ensi>e res@8nse t8 the c8rr8si8n 8: the mutuall em@8;ering reci@r8cit that ;8uld ser>e as a =asis :8r a true dem8crac?each 8: us c8mes t8 =elie>e in the realit 8: a ind 8: ;ish<;8rld in ;hich things are the;a the are =ecause O;eO ha>e decreed them t8 =e s8 thr8ugh a c8llecti>e act 8: :reed8m and eualit% This :alse idea that the eisting hierarch<sstem is a c8nseuence8: genuine dem8cratic ch8ice is I ?== Othe @8litical illusi8nO =ecause it in>erts the truenature 8: the ;8rld% Instead 8: seeing the ;8rld clearl as a c8m@le 8: s8cial andec8n8mic hierarchies generating a :alse @8litical ide8l8g that ser>e as an imaginarsu=stitute :8r genuine s8cial c8nnecti8n? ;e are led t8 =elie>e that it is O8urO @8liticalinstituti8ns that actuall create the s8cial and ec8n8mic hierarchies in the Grst @lace . +-F@=- - - =- + - -+??==-=-?- =-<=- ?-- - ?+@++ - -= - =-+@+?- , - ?+@+- -? @= =-<;- , - =-<=8- ?- << ?+@++ - < + -F.

At the heart 8: this @8litical illusi8n is the C8nstituti8n? a d8cument end8;ed ;ith the

su@reme sm=8lic @8;er t8 Oc8nstituteO us as a 8ined<t8gether gr8u@ 8: s8<calledOcitiDens%O It magicall trans:8rms the alienated s8cial relati8ns 8: real li:e int8 animaginar set 8: s8cial relati8ns =ased u@8n mutuall agreed u@8n rights and 8=ligati8ns.

:266 It is the :undamental t8temic s8urce 8: the :alse O;eO that ser>es as the @rinci@al ustiGcati8n :8r the status u8? and all 8: the c8nJicts generated = the status u8 areassimilated t8 this :alse O;eO thr8ugh the @arcelling 8ut 8: an e>er<changing matri 8: Oc8nstituti8nal rights%O Thr8ugh the @r8cess 8: c8nstituti8nal inter@retati8n? the @e8@le;h8 get a@@8inted t8 the Su@reme C8urt @er@etuall re:ashi8n the c8nt8urs 8: the :alses8cial<meaning sstem s8 as t8 maintain the hegem8n 8: the imaginar gr8u@ against all8: the real gr8u@<challenges that @er@etuall threaten << = >irtue 8: the >er energ 8: the genuine s8cial c8nnecti8n that animates them << t8 e@8se the c8nstituti8nal illusi8n.

T-E S!'REME C.!RT AS A$ I$STIT!TI.$ LEITIMATES T-E E6ISTE$CE . -IERARC-IES,"E<MSTII$ T-EC.!RT IS &E T. E6'.SE ITS !$"ERLI$ MT-S %


The true r8le 8: the C8urt @+?- + @=?-- + ?+?+ <--+ + ,- <Q?+

is =8th t8 satis: a need =r8ught a=8ut = @8@ular suFering and t8 c8ntr8l this need s8 ast8 maintain the euili=rium 8: the status u8% As state 8Hcials ;h8 are granted @restigeand high salar s8lel 8n the =asis 8: the @8litical legitimac 8: the eisting sstem? m8st

udges are interested in ee@ing things the ;a the are% This reuires the ide8l8gicalintegrati8n 8: desta=iliDing m8>ements :r8m the right as ;ell as :r8m the le:t ?==

-@ -+=+<?= -<+ @-+@=- -- + - - - C+ +8< + - <. The C8urtsaim is @recisel t8 mae the rise 8: the $e; Right c8nstituti8nal? and in s8 d8ing t8res8l>e the current legitimac<crisis = rec8nstituting the eisting hierarch<sstem;ithin an imaginar :rame;8r that c8n:8rms t8 a ne; Ointent 8: the :ramers%O + - =+< += , +< - -?- 8- + << ?8 + @8-=??-@- =-<= +- - -?+-8 ? ,-?+- <--= + -+=+< - -+?? =,-= ,-- + + + +

-?- +. 3hether this @r8cess 8: re<legitimati8n ;ill succeed de@ends u@8n a greatman :act8rs? am8ng the m8st im@8rtant 8: ;hich is the sel:<c8nsci8us? sustained eF8rts8: gr8u@s lie 8ursel>es t8 re:ute the $e; Rights >isi8n c8n>incingl = sh8;ing that itmstiGes a ;8rld that cann8t actuall satis: @e8@les real human needs% But t8 d8 this;e must =e m8re radical rather than less radical? using ;hate>er res8urces are a>aila=let8 us as teachers and @ractiti8ners t8 e@8se the mths 8: li=eral as ;ell as c8nser>ati>e;8rld<>ie;s. S@-< + :271 = -?- @?= ?- I = -?- -= - ,+<




@+-+= -Q?+ - =,-==-<= + - "- C+ +< + - *<- C+J -+=+< --- + =-?= +<?= ?+-? ?- =8-,=- ?+?+ - -8- =8-.

LI$& /IM'ACT,R!LE . LA3 1/2

T-E AIRMATI)ES "EE$SE . T-E R!LE . LA3 E$S!RES 3I"ES'REA" A!T-.RITARIA$ISM ,RE4ECT T-EIR

E$!LECTI.$ AT T-E ALTAR . LA3 A$" .R"ER%


"es@ite 8ur cultural assum@ti8n that the Rule 8: La; aut8maticall @re>ents trann and8@@ressi8n - ,?--= ?-=-,+ + - C++ +,= =- ,+ - ? - +<= +?-

=-<- - -=8-- + -- ?- + @-+@=- 115 -?+ <- there is n8thing intrinsic t8the Rule 8: La; that @re>ents auth8ritarianism. I-- there is a @arad8 @resent in theunderstanding 8: the Rule 8: La; in this culture ?=< - =-<= ?=-. .n the 8ne hand? theRule 8: La; is in>8ed as a guarant against trann% .n the 8ther hand? it is in>8ed t8reuire unuesti8ning 8=edience t8 la;? n8 matter ;hat its c8ntent. *+ + -- ?=-@;- @+?- =+< - +- 8- - R=- + L -,+- - ,8- 8=- + < =,-- =,-= -+??. A+- -+ -Q- , M<- R -F =-<= ?+=@ ,--- - --= 8- :399 ,8- 8- + - R=- + L. T -+ --? - @+F -==> T--= ?+?-@+ :+ - R=- + L +-= + <+8-- , =- + ?-8- - <+8--J - -8-- ,-. T- ,8- ?+?-@+ +-= + <+8-- , =- + ?-8- - <+= + - +?= ?+?> =,- ?-. 116

+ =-<= ?+= -== @+=?= ?+ - @8=-<- -< + - R=- + L 8- 117-+ - ,8- ??-? + @-8-< +@@-+. 11! A E.P. T+@+ +- +?= + - +@@-8- *=? A? E<= - -8-=+@- + - R=- + L == -- =Q- <++. 119 = + + - - 8+,=- 8- + - R=- + L ?@- , T+ P-J -?=+ A-? J- R=- + L K<J 120 - -- - <+8-- + - U- S- <+8-- + =+ - :?. 121 A=+< +?= -8-=+@- + - - = , - @+=?== @+-= - <+8-+ -== - <+8-- -+,=- @+8-- +8- - ,- + ?= , ? =+-

+- + -- - R=- + L - R=- + <++ L &+-@ R; -. 122 E>en the @rime >irtue8: the Rule 8: La;? that all are =8und = it? d8es n8t dictate the c8ntent 8: the la; .

:400 There is n8thing intrinsic t8 the Rule 8: La; that entails a=s8lute 8r e>en @artial@r8tecti8n 8: indi>iduals 8r gr8u@s :r8m trann and 8@@ressi8n? des@ite 8ur ha=itual use

8: the Rule 8: La; in this sense. 123 It is @er:ectl c8nsistent t8 ha>e an auth8ritarianstate under the Rule 8: La;? :8r alth8ugh the Rule 8: La; esta=lishes that Og8>ernmentshall =e ruled = the la; and su=ect t8 it?O the :8rm 8: g8>ernment under la; ma =e adictat8r? an 8ligarch 8r a dem8crac. 124 + -F@=- S+ A? + - +@-< -R=- + L @?@=- , ?+ ,- -- -- +?- -8- +< -+?? + - - +

- ?++. 125 S== the g8>ernment 8: the !nited States has tranniDed ;h8le@8@ulati8ns? including A:rican<Americans? $ati>e Americans and 4a@anese Americans?under the Rule 8: La;.

- - R=- + L +- + @-?> the Rule 8: La; reuires 8=edience t8auth8rities c8nstituted = la; and signiGes the states @8;er 8: s8cial c8ntr8l . A=+< S@+A<- E M--- < ,- ??- + -< - B - -F<<-- = +- -+? =- +?- -8- +< =-<= ?+=. A &+-@ V< -- = -@- + +,--?-> A -+ :+ = -- ?+?-@+ + - ?+ - == -F- @+ @-+@=-

== +==+ - =. I @-+@=- +J +==+ - = - ?+= ,- -- +. 126 A R+,- C+8- + -=+-= -- - <- + + - = 8- - @+- + ?+@-= +,--?- , +?- + +?+< + @

+,--?-. 127 == M<- R +- the Rule 8: La; assumes that Orules aresu@@8sed t8 ruleO 12! n8 matter ;hat their m8ral c8ntent% Thus? the Rule 8: La; ma =emalici8us 8r =enign? and la;s and rules ma =e harsh and @uniti>e 8r humanitarian.

+ +- -?- + = ?= + @@-?- la; 8:ten :acilitates the a=use 8: @8;er and is=8th directl and indirectl im@licated in human suFering> - H==- -,- ,+ -- N;G- :401 + + 8- = -,- ?+- 8+ + 129 < --? - =-<=?+=J + - =J ?+@=? -8=. 130 H <- - = = <- = -- - --- + += 131 + + ,- = == -> + ?+- +< + ,- ==-8- . . . += + ?+?-= - ?. 132 T- @+,=- + N; G- + = 8= ?+8-< --= @?@=- + += , + +- -+ - -@+ + = += ?- - ??- G-. 133 ==- -@+- = 8- - += + ,- = == ?=< N; G-J =




8+=- - += , 8+=< - R=- + L 8- + +-+?8 @,=? -< + - =@+=<- =-<= -F -- @=?- --+- G- + = < - N; -<-. 134 I --- + - R=- + LJ 8- ==- +->

B?+- + -F @<- % +< ?




LI$& /IM'ACT,R!LE . LA3 2/2

B?+- + @-8+ @<- % +< ?

T+ - -- +< +?< < ?+@ ? ?=+- -= -= + =-<= + ? + -@+ - += + +- + - - += + = -= ?-- + ,- =-<= -. "- - ?==<-= = @-?- @+ <--= -< , <- + - - + - = - @@+ + -+?- - -,== ?- =-<= -<=- -8- - <+- , -+?8- - - += + -+ + + + -+ - -- ? + +- - ?==-<- +- + -?@- -8- +- ? - @+- , - @--?- +

=-<= . . . + + - =- + - + - - + =. 135

==- ?+-? < R=- + L 8- + -F?=- +- -+ + < = + -=;- + <+=>-< <+8-- +?= ,- ,+ , - = -< = ,- @@=- -== +,< - -

+ -?- + -+?8- = ? ,-. 136 $- =ecause Rule 8: La; >irtues are n8tinc8nsistent ;ith e>il la;? -- @r8cedural g88ds under the Rule 8: La; are a necessar=ut :402 insuHcient sa:eguard against auth8ritarian regimes. 137 Auth8ritarianism is n8tar=itrariness? ;him? 8r ca@rice << it is unremitting insistence 8n 8=edience and@unishment 8: th8se ;h8 dis8=e% Thus la; =- == + + +8- + can easil carr;ithin it the seeds 8: 8@@ressi8n? int8lerance and demands :8r =lind 8=edience ;ith8utnecessaril >i8lating Rule 8: La; @rece@ts . U=- +- -?- - -< + - R=- + L + ?=-- ,8- --- + -?@+? - -@-? + @-+ + - @ + - - 13! -- ==- +

@-8- + ,- - =. The Rule 8: La; ma --+- 8Fer little m8re than sm=8licc8m:8rt t8 th8se c8ncerned ;ith the use 8: la; t8 8@@ress and @unish human =eings.




LI$& /IM'ACT,LA3 A$" EC.$.MICS 1/1

EC.$.MIC A$ALSIS . T-E LA3 CA$$.T .)ERC.ME I$"ETERMI$AC ,T-E S.CIAL C.$TE6T I$ 3-IC- T-E

A$ALSIS IS C.$"!CTE" S-A'ES ITS .!TC.ME %

G+ BI$"ER P+-+ + L - S- U8- + N- $+ *=+ 19((:'*-+ C?( University of Chica!o Law Review B55 U. C. L. R-8. !!! S- A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+8 L-FN-F

C?= =-<= ?+= 8- == ?- ec8n8mic analsis 8: la; + - <+ mistaenltreats indi>idual ec8n8mic @re:erences as inde@endent 8: legal rules. T the 8=ecti8n isn8t s8 much t8 the su=stituti8n 8: eHcienc :8r ustice as a criteri8n 8: adudicati8n? =utt8 the =elie: that the t;8 criteria can =e se@arated at all . "-- -?++? = + = 8- <-

?+ += ==+?- -+?- + +- + 8=- - +- +- + -?@- ?+ ?+ E *- MK-= D? K-- 8- <- + ? -? @ + @- 8=- -+?- -@- -8= +

-- + + - =- @+- -@- -8- +- + -=- - @+-. T res8urces cann8t=e distri=uted 8n the =asis 8: calculati8ns 8: all8cati>e eHcienc =ecause suchcalculati8ns al;as de@end 8n @ri8r assum@ti8ns a=8ut the distri=uti8n 8: res8urces.

A??+<= - ?? <- uesti8ns 8: all8cati>e eHcienc can ne>er =e se@arated :r8muesti8ns 8: distri=uti>e ustice. M+-+8- - ?+?=- this is ust 8ne ;a in ;hich thesu@@8sedl hard ;8rld 8: s8cial scientiGc O:actO << the utilit 8: res8urces << turns 8ut t8=e de@endent 8n the c8ncededl indeterminate ;8rld 8: legal d8ctrine. 14



Michigan Classic 2009 *0 / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

LI$& /IM'ACT,STARE "ECISIS/'RECE"E$T 1/1

"EE$SES . STARE DECISIS A$" LEAL 'RECE"E$CE SA$CTI.$ A!T-.RITARIA$ISM ,MA&ES .''RESSI.$

I$E)ITABLE %


" - -?=- + =,-= +< @+=? - U- S- ? + - ?++= @-?- + - 19!0 ,-?+- @?== ?=8- + + - + = , @+8< -+-?= Q?+ + +- -. A + <- ?= @+- -F-?- ?- =,-< ,-- - <- + +- ?+-88- ?+=. T

arguments = c8nser>ati>e c8nstituti8nal sch8lars in>aria=l see t8 curtail the a=ilit 8: udges t8 inter@ret @8siti>e la; = demanding 8=edience t8 la;? narr8;l deGned% Thedemand + - @ + +- ?+= :8r strict adherence t8 8riginal intent? 8=edience t8 tet?de:erence t8 the @8litical =ranches @?== - -F-?8- ,? and strict Gdelit t8@recedent and stare decisis? c8m=ined ;ith arguments em@hasiDing sta=ilit? 8rder?@redicta=ilit and c8ntr8l? is es@eciall tr8u=ling% T8 the etent that such @8siti>ist >ie;s8: udging can =e ass8ciated ;ith auth8ritarian legal sstems? these arguments canlegitimate trann% T8 the etent that adherence t8 tet and legislati>e c8mmand renders

udges @8;erless t8 @re>ent legall c8nstructed 8@@ressi8n 8r re@ressi8n? the lielih88d8: :8rmal auth8ritarianism in la;? at a minimum? increases. 29




LI$& /IM'ACT,LEAL T-E.RIES 1/1

T-E AIRMATI)ES RELIA$CE .$ A LEAL T-E.R T. 4!STI T-EIR CASE .!TS.!RCES RES'.$SIBILIT A$"

"E'RI)ES I$"I)I"!ALS . AE$C %


T- ? ?+-@+ =-<= -+ -== ?+?+ + , -= +-< + ,-+. T- ?+?+@?@=- =-<= -+< ??-= --? - ? - 8- ?+?< <+= - - + == - + +

-?+?=- -. Traditi8nal legal the8r is 8=ecti8na=le? n8t =ecause it is c8ntradict8r? =ut=ecause it claims t8 gi>e us determinate? 8=ecti>e? and neutral decisi8n @r8cedures t8res8l>e the c8ntradicti8ns% $8ne 8: these things is true Legal the8r is :ar m8reindeterminate and 8@en<ended than its adherents claim? and it e@resses c8ntr8>ersial@8litical and m8ral c8mmitments rather than uni>ersal @rinci@les gr8unded in humanrati8nalit.

The8r e@resses 8ur >aluesK it d8es n8t create 8r determine them% 174 The8r is use:ult8 the etent that it articulates ;hat ;e >alue% Since 8ur >alues c8nJict? legal the8riese@ress 8ur c8m@eting >alues% 175 3e Odra; a lineO =et;een c8m@eting @rinci@les andthen create a the8r t8 descri=e ;here ;e ch8se t8 @lace the line% But the the8r d8esn8t itsel: rec8ncile th8se >alues 8r tell us ;here t8 dra; the line% It cann8t =ecause it iss8mething ;e made u@ t8 e@ress th8se >alues and the OlineO =et;een them% T8 thin 8ther;ise is t8 rei: the8r? t8 rem8>e it :r8m human c8ntr8l and t8 @retend that it istelling us ;hat t8 d8% But it cann8t tell us ;hat t8 d8 << ;e created it . I + <<-<

the8r -<=-. A I <- -=- can structure 8ut thining in a ;a that limits 8ur@erce@ti8n 8: the a>aila=le alternati>es. * @+ + --,- =ecause ;estructured it t8 d8 this% 3e t8ld 8ursel>es ;hat t8 d8.




LI$& /IM'ACT,E"ERALISM 1/2

T-E AIRMATI)ES "EE$SE . E"ERALISM IS I$E6TRICABL B.!$" !' I$ A LARER $ARRATI)E AB.!T

AMERICA$ LA3 A$" C!LT!RE,T-EIR ASS!M'TI.$S ARE BASE" !'.$ A$ A!T-.RITARIA$ R.!' A$TAS T-AT

CEME$TS !$EN!AL '.3ER RELATI.$S A$" !ARA$TEES .''RESSI.$ %

P-- ABEL P+-+ + L - N- C+==-<- L S?++= 2002:'" I R-== M- T+ S L I P+=?> P+=?= H+ A L-<= A<- I * V. G+-( %roo&lyn Law Review B67

*++= L. R-8. 1141 S- A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-FN-F T- + +?= -8- + <== =-<=;- - R-< R-8+=+ - +- + + -?-=-8?- + -< - S@-- C+J -@-8- -< * 8. G+- + - @+=?= ?@? + - C++ + -?- - 2000 -=-?+ - + @+@= -8+= ,-- - - + - - --=.E-<< +<== - @-?- + - *<- C+ - =- 1970 1! <-- ?+Q-?- +==+<

R-<J Q -=-?+ - ne; :ederalism has =een +- =-8-= @= - + <8< ? <-- ---?-

+ -J < ?++= -@-+. * --@- -- - +?- signaled a shi:t in the 8Hcialimager ;ithin American legal culture 8: h8; O;eO are @8liticall c8nstituted as Oa@e8@leO ;ithin the meaning 8: the C8nstituti8n as an auth8ritati>e d8cument? a shi:t t8 aind 8: eighteenth<centur idea 8: the nati8n as a c8n:ederati8n 8: s8>ereign andse@arate gr8u@ings B+ - ;h8 ha>e reluctantl granted limited @8;ers t8 the ;h8le B---= <+8--.

O<== + ?+- - - --<- + + - ?+=+- +<? <+@ 8- + +- +- , <-+<@?=- -=<+ ?+8?+ -?++ -8- + +- -F- =<<-. A ? - -- -,= -=? +,+- - <+@ -< +8--< + -+- += <+8--— -+- += @--=-<=- ?+ -? =+< @?@=- -@--8- - < -== ?+- + - +8-?<@+- - @+-@-+ + - U- S- + -- - += + -=+8--< + -? -. :1153 T- +=- + - -=-?+= ?+==-<- -=-?< += @-- ==+?+ + + -+= 8+- + -? --<=- + @+@=+ <-- + @+@++- 8+?- @--= -=-?+ + ==- - --?@-?-= ?+?- B+< +- ?+?- ?=< - + @+@= -+?? ,+ - @+-= ?=@++ + =- += @+- @+ - +8--< - + -- - +?- + @+-.

* the rise 8: the ne; :ederalism 8>er the last t;ent ears has n8 authentic relati8nshi@t8 this hist8rical realit 8: eighteenth<centur li:e% )irtuall n8 8ne t8da :eelsdistincti>el identiGed in the eighteenth<centur sense ;ith the state as 8nes 8rganicgr8u@% .n the c8ntrar? the @8litical hist8r 8: the last 200 ears has =een the gr8;ingass8ciati8n 8: dem8crac ;ith =el8nging t8 8ne nati8n? t8 8ne culturall di>erse =utne>ertheless ec8n8micall? @8liticall? and culturall integrated gr8u@ called the !nited

States 8: America% 3ars? techn8l8g? ge8gra@hical m8=ilit? immigrati8n? the s8ci8<ec8n8mic de>el8@ment 8: an integrated ca@italist maret :8ll8;ing increasingl uni:8rmlegal rules and n8rms? the de>el8@ment 8: nati8nal s8cial m8>ements transcendingregi8ns as ;ell as states? and man 8ther hist8rical inJuences ha>e :8rged a ne; andc8ncrete hist8rical realit that has decisi>el su=8rdinated the state as the l8cus 8: gr8u@<identit and =el8nging t8 8ur nati8nal identit? t8 O=eing an American%O

T - 8- +- -< += -=-?+ - -=-?+ ,- <-- -++= @+=?=

@+?- + A-? ?;-@ + +- - - ?;-@. It ;8uld =e a=surd t8 claim thatthe c8re meaning 8: @artici@ati8n in 8ur c8nstituti8nal dem8crac t8da deri>es :r8m 8urc8nnecti8n ;ith the state<=ased identiGcati8ns underling the c8n:ederati8n<=asedc8nce@ti8n 8: strictl limited :ederal @8;er 8: 17(9.

The rise 8: a ne; :ederalism ;hich rests 8n this claim 8: state<=ased identiGcati8ns as

the =asis 8: c8nstituti8nal dem8crac must there:8re =e underst88d as a largelsuccess:ul attem@t t8 resuscitate the image 8: 17(9 :ederalism and t8 im=ue the image;ith the same mstiue 8: cultural auth8rit :1154 that has =een @r8ected 8nt8 the8unding athers and the search :8r their .riginal Intent% These images dra; their:antas @8;er :r8m the rituals 8: 8ur s8cial c8nditi8ning since childh88d? :r8m the @ledge8: allegiance t8 the >enerated annual telling 8: 8ur 8rigin st8r in childh88d ci>ics andAmerican hist8r classes? t8 the sanctiGed re@etiti8n 8: the names 8: the 8undingathers B- - @ + ?--= ,+F +?- ,+- TOTAL TM ,< + +< - &- M+ t8 thea;e and sense 8: id8latr attached t8 the C8nstituti8n itsel: as a hall8;ed d8cument in aglass case ;h8se ideas are s8meh8; Oa=8>eO th8se 8: us mere m8rtals ;h8 ha>e:8ll8;ed th8se ;h8 @enned them.



Michigan Classic 2009 *+ / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

LI$& /IM'ACT,E"ERALISM 2/2

B?+- + @-8+ @<- % +< ?

I - -?== ;hat ;e are analDing -- is the legaliDati8n 8: a c8nser>ati>e re>8luti8ndesigned t8 re>erse actual Jesh<and<=l88d s8cial m8>ements aiming t8 gi>e:undamentall ne; meanings t8 ;h8 O;eO are? ne; meanings t8 the Oc8nstituti8nO 8: 8ur@8litical and m8ral =8nd? the use 8: auth8ritati>e cultural images that ;e ha>e all =een

c8nditi8ned t8 :eel ;e are su@@8sed t8 in>est ;ith O=elie:O is the legal anal8gue t8Reagans OM8rning in AmericaO ad% In the c8ntet 8: the Reagan Re>8luti8n and itsa:termath? these auth8ritati>e and reassuring images seiDed u@8n the aniet that hadc8me t8 @er>ade a real ;8rld =eset =@8litical/m8ral/cultural/generati8nal/ec8n8mic/racial/seual c8nJict? es@eciall asc8llecti>e d8u=t came t8 c8rr8de the idealism 8: the m8>ement that had =8th generatedthis c8nJict thr8ugh its trans:8rmati>e im@ulse and >isi8n and gi>en the m8>ement in allits di>ersit its transcendent and h8@e:ul unit% Because 8: their @8;er in 8ur sharedcultural mem8r? these images can =e and ;ere a@@ealed t8 in 8rder t8 @ersuadeOAmericansO t8 c8me h8me.

I the c8mm8n aim 8: the resuscitati8n + O<= I- -+ - L E?++? +8--

- - --= has =een t8 em@l8 auth8ritati>e gr8u@ :antasies a=8ut the 8rigins 8:

America B - @+=?= <+@ + ? - -? ,-=+< in the ser>ice 8: erasing the c8nstituti8nallegitimac 8: a uni>ersal @u=lic s@here that leaders lie Martin Luther &ing &. and thes8cial m8>ements 8: the 19*0s and 190s claimed ;as the >er essence 8: trueOc8nstituti8nalO :1155 @8litics% It ;as in that uni>ersal @u=lic s@here that m8ral uesti8nsa=8ut 8ur c8mm8n gr8u@ li:e ;ere and are c8ntested% B m8=iliDing milli8ns 8: @e8@le inthe name 8: O3e the 'e8@le?O s8cial change m8>ements =ecame the li>ing em=8diments8: dem8cratic ideals as the @hsicall and s@irituall 8ccu@ied this @u=lic s@here andchallenged the @8litical legitimac 8: eisting arrangements and c8nstituti8nal d8ctrines= seeing t8 gi>e them a ne; and @r8gressi>e m8ral c8ntent.




LI$& /IM'ACT,REE MAR&ET/'RI)ATIATI.$ 1/1

T-E AIRMATI)ES "EE$SE . 'RI)ATIATI.$ RELIES .$ A ALSE S.CIAL MEA$I$ SSTEM ,RE4ECT T-E A T.

'RE)E$T ALIE$ATI.$ %


A - +?= ?+?+- - =- +?=-< - I -==-?= - I += -?,-

+==+> gi>en the c8lla@se 8: an >isi=le @r8gressi>e s8cial m8>ement that c8uld 8Fer ac8ncrete h8@e 8: greater ha@@iness? @e8@le are e@eriencing an intense @ri>atiDati8n 8: e>erda li:e in ;hich the ;8r<;8rld has =ec8me a meaningless milieu @ercei>ed s8lelas a @lace t8 Oget m8neO and in ;hich an genuine human c8ntact is :elt 8nl in@ri>atiDed settings =- - = , -=8-= <= +<;+ =- ?? <+@. This intense@ri>atiDati8n c8u@led ;ith the lac 8: an >isi=le s8cial alternati>e is @r8ducing immense:rustrati8n and anger? and this :rustrati8n and anger is =eing directed in @art at @re>i8us@8litical illusi8ns and their :alse @r8mises 8: a =etter li:e% The creati8n 8: a :alse s8cial<meaning sstem t8 legitimiDe this >er situati8n reuires trans:8rming this negati>e int8an aHrmati>e% And this aHrmati>e can and sh8uld =e e@ressed =luntl O!ni8ns are sel:<ser>ing? reha=ilitating criminals is a :raud? @8liticians are c8rru@t? and the @88r can hel@

themsel>es% 3e Americans are g88d la;<a=iding @e8@le? ;e n8; ;hats ;hat? and ;e;ant 8u @h8n li=erals ;ith 8ur @h8n m8ralit t8 lea>e us al8ne% 3e can mae 8ut ustGne i: 8nl ;e can get 8u 8F 8ur =acs%O

:269 N+ in :act this aHrmati8n 8: the >alue 8: @ri>atism is c8m@letel :alse? and dee@ intheir hearts e>er8ne n8;s its :alse% But the :alse O;eO in this uasi<@8@ulist diatri=ecan still @r8>ide a su=stitute :eeling 8: c8mmunit that can ser>e as a c8>er :8r actualsuFering and is8lati8n? @articularl ;hen a leader emerges ;h8 can institute the gr8u@sunit = em=8ding its ethic in @u=lic s@ace . T- + + ?- R-< ? + - -+ @- ?+--?- ,-?- = - +> @- ?+--?- - ?-. A - ?-= + + ?- R- ,- =+< + = O- @@+8<= ?< R-J - - C+++- + <-- @+- +- +- ?-==. 11 T- + =-<= = =- "<+ @- ?+--?- +- R- <8< + - - - - + - @+ + ?++= +?- -@-+.



Michigan Classic 2009 * / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

LI$& /IM'ACT,I"E$TIT '.LITICS 1/1

T-E AIRMATI)ES I"E$TIT '.LITICS RES!LTS I$ 3I"ES'REA" ALIE$ATI.$ ,.$L !$I)ERSAL STR!LES AAI$ST .''RESSI.$ CA$ S.L)E%


T- + disalienating e@erience + ? I 8- --- is 8:ten @r8duced thr8ugh theinternal trans:8rmati8n 8: s8cial relati8ns that characteriDes the rising @eri8d 8: a s8cialm8>ement% "uring such @eri8ds legal c8nce@ts lie OrightsO underg8 a @artialtrans:8rmati8n 8: meaning that deri>es :r8m the uniue release 8: c8nnecti8n thatc8nstitutes the m8>ement itsel: . I - -=-- + ?+-?+ + < - +8-- -F@--?-+ +- - +- + ?+-?+ - +- B+ =- +??+== --= +?==- @8- =- < - , -==- + - -=8-= + -F@=- + - - == =+8- + + +,8+= @+ +-. T-@+,=- ? @8- +- - -F@--?- - +??< -- - -< + - =-- @,=??- -- +-+ -- +< ==+- ?+ ==? = I ??+ +- ?+@+= - + - - -== - +- -?= ,-=-8< = +- ??+@-==< =+8-. 33 I ? - 8- - -- +- - @8- +-< + ==+ @+?- , - ==?= ,-?- - - +=- @,=? - + - -- - == -F@--?- - +<= -- ??+ + =-- , - ? <+@ + ?+- @+ - - =< @8- ??-. I =+ +?= +8-- -- + @ , ?==-<< - -F@--= ,+ ?+- - @,=?/@8-@= -+< ?+Q-?- + +=8- - ,? + @-+?- +== -?=+- - @,=? +=.

:15!7 * the OmechanismsO 8: reci@r8cal denial that alienati8n itsel: @r8duces mae it>er diHcult :8r such m8>ements t8 arise B+ - + + ,-= + - @? + - -=8-

the :act that alienati8n Oen:8rces itsel:O in @art thr8ugh the re@r8ducti8n 8: hierarchical diFerences >irtuall assures that such a m8>ement ;ill n8t arise the ;a it8ught t8 << as a uni>ersal res@8nse t8 8ur c8mm8n @redicament. + ins8:ar as the gr8u@ asa ;h8le imagines itsel: t8 =e c8nstituted thr8ugh these diFerences B-==-/@-8+

+-/+- +/ ,=?/- -/-?- ?=/@- </< + + it is much m8reliel that dis@ersed and ;ithdra;n indi>iduals ;ill tae the ris 8: releasing them8>ement 8: desire 8nl ;hen the can antici@ate the reci@r8cati8n 8: th8se ;h8 then8; alread see themsel>es as suFering their 8nt8l8gical de@ri>ati8n :r8m O;ithin thesame diFerence%O The @arad8 8: the la=8r m8>ement? 8r the ;8mens m8>ement? 8r theci>il<rights m8>ement is that the can acuire the 8nt8l8gical ca@acit t8 Ogather steamO

8nl thr8ugh reci@r8cal rec8gniti8n 8: a uni>ersal need? =ut the can achie>e thisrec8gniti8n initiall 8nl thr8ugh aHrming a c8ntingent and culturall @r8duced@articularit that is a =adge 8: alienati8n itsel: . A - == -- +- the trans:8rmati>eas 8@@8sed t8 Ore:8rmistO ca@acit 8: the m8>ement de@ends u@8n its a=ilit t88>erc8me this @arad8 = gaining the c8nGdence t8 lin the sur@assing 8: the @articularOdiFerenceO that all8;ed it t8 :8rm ;ith the 8>erc8ming 8: alienati8n . 34 This uni>ersalneed gi>es the m8>ement its :8undati8nal energ? and it is 8nl = sustaining this energthat the m8>ement can trans:8rm the hierarchical c8nditi8ns that caused it t8 c8me int8=eing.



Michigan Classic 2009 *( / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

#####ALTER$ATI)E




ALTER$ATI)E,S.L)E$C E$ERAL 1/1

T-E ALTER$ATI)E S.L)ES BEST ,RE)EALI$ T-E BA$&R!'TC . T-E AIRMATI)ES LEAL T-.!-T IS A

'REREN!ISITE T. ET-ICAL "ECISI.$<MA&I$%


The ;a 8ut 8: this seemingl h8@eless situati8n is sim@l t8 gi>e u@ :62 =8th theassum@ti8n that the @r8@er r8le 8: legal the8r is t8 generate ans;ers and thec8nc8mitant assum@ti8n that n8 m8ral 8r legal ch8ices are legitimate unless the aregenerated = an a=stract :8rmula% The :8rmulas that ha>e =een @r8@8sed = legalthe8rists ha>e =een ingeni8us? =ut essentiall ;r8ngheaded. "-- - - + + ,=?<

- + +@?- R= +?= ?+? -+ + -= F;+ the ha>e all s8ught t8 c8n>inceus that the c8uld d8 s8mething that is im@8ssi=le gi>e us ans;ers ;ith8ut illegitimatelrelie>ing us 8: the =urden 8: m8ral ch8ice% $8 the8r can legitimatel ch88se 8ur m8ralends :8r usK ;e sh8uld n8t ;ant the8r t8 d8 this :8r us.

-8; then d8 ;e mae >alue ch8ices The des@erati8n ;ith ;hich @e8@le as thisuesti8n rests 8n the assum@ti8n that legal rules 8=tain ;hate>er legitimac the ha>e= =eing ch8sen in a ;a that is essentiall diFerent :r8m the ;a in ;hich ;e mae

e>erda m8ral decisi8ns. * + += ,- ?=- I d8 n8t thin that there is a diFerence.A this re>elati8n sh8uld n8t =e e@erienced as lea>ing us hel@lessK rather? it sh8uld =ee@erienced as em@8;ering us.

E>er8ne has had the e@erience 8: maing im@8rtant? diHcult m8ral decisi8ns% Andalm8st n8 8ne d8es it = a@@ling a :8rmula . "- @-+@=- -?- -- + <- - + 8- ?=-+ <+ + = ?++= + +8- + +- - + - +, - + + @@= -+ + Q<- + + +. T- +

+ ,=?- == - ?+ + @ - @+ ?+. I + the d8 n8t :8ll8; a @r8cedure thatgenerates? = itsel:? an ans;er% The d8 thin l8ng and hard a=8ut ;hat the ;ant in li:eKthe imagine ;hat their li>es ;8uld =e lie i: the ;ere t8 :8ll8; 8ne @ath rather thanan8therK - - @-+@=- + - + @+ + - +- +@+ - 8=- the argue ;ith8thers and ;ith themsel>esK and in the end? the mae a decisi8n% And later? in l88ing=ac at it? the are s8metimes @leased ;ith their decisi8ns? s8metimes n8t% But thene; h8; t8 d8 it.

E>er8ne n8;s h8; t8 d8 this% S8me @e8@le d8 it =etter than 8thers ,-?- - + +-? + ,-?- - - + + < - - + 8?- + ,-?- - ?+- + + +- ?-==

+-. But it is in an e>ent an e@erience that e>er8ne has had% Legal decisi8ns -?<

?- 8+< + - -=-?< @-- are n8 diFerent 4udging? in ;hate>er c8ntet ita@@ears? is ust decisi8nmaing. O ?+- ;e ma act diFerentl in diFerent r8les% 3emight =elie>e that it is im@r8@er :8r a udge t8 d8 s8mething that a legislat8r c8uldlegitimatel d8K ;e might n8t sa s8mething in a classr88m as a teacher that ;e might:eel :ree t8 sa as a student B+ 8?- 8-. But the e@erience 8: m8ral ch8ice is al;as thesame.



Michigan Classic 2009 +0 / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

ALTER$ATI)E,S.L)E$C "EM.CRAC 1/1

T-E ALTER$ATI)E IS &E T. MEA$I$!L "EM.CRATIC "ELIBERATI.$ %


"em8cratic @8litics is an enc8unter am8ng @e8@le ;ith diFering interests? @ers@ecti>es?

and 8@ini8ns an enc8unter in ;hich the rec8nsider and mutuall re>ise 8@ini8ns andinterests? =8th indi>idual and c8mm8n% It ha@@ens al;as in a c8ntet 8: c8nJict?im@er:ect n8;ledge? and uncertaint? =ut ;here c8mmunit acti8n is necessar% Theres8luti8ns achie>ed are al;as m8re 8r less tem@8rar? su=ect t8 rec8nsiderati8n? andrarel unanim8us% 3hat matters is n8t unanimit =ut disc8urse% The su=stanti>e c8mm8ninterest is 8nl disc8>ered 8r created in dem8cratic @8litical struggle? and it remainsc8ntested as much as shared% ar :r8m =eing inimical t8 dem8crac? c8nJict handled indem8cratic ;as? ;ith 8@enness and @ersuasi8n is ;hat maes dem8crac ;8r? ;hatmaes :8r the mutual re>isi8n 8: 8@ini8ns and interest . 1!3

Legal the8r can hel@ create c8mmunal ties and shared >alues = :reeing us :r8m thesense that current @ractices and d8ctrines are natural and necessar and = suggestingne; :8rms 8: e@ressi8n t8 re@lace 8ut;8rn 8nes. + -F@=- G,-= H 8- <<--

-@=?< + ?- :65 < +-+ @+- +-+. 1!4 T- += + +? + 8-<8= ,? ?;- +- -=+ + -? +- - <+8-- , < -+?- , - - + 8-< - ?8- @?@ @< - -=+ = =-. S? ?<- =<<- -=@ +? + -+ + ? - @-8+= <+- - +- --= - + =-8- +?= <--. 1!5




ALTER$ATI)E,S.L)E$C C.!RT 1/1

T-E ALTER$ATI)E S.L)ES BEST I$ T-E C.$TE6T . T-E C.!RTS, 4!"ES S-.!L" E$AE I$ M.RAL "ECISI.$<MA&I$ ? $.T MI$"LESS LEAL T-.!-T %


3hen udges decide cases? the sh8uld d8 ;hat ;e all d8 ;hen ;e :ace a m8ral decisi8n%3e identi: a limited set 8: alternati>esK ;e @redict the m8st liel c8nseuences 8: :8ll8;ing diFerent c8urses 8: acti8nK ;e articulate the >alues that are im@8rtant in thec8ntet 8: the decisi8n and the ;as in ;hich the c8nJict ;ith each 8therK ;e see ;hatrele>ant @e8@le B<- ?+= ha>e said a=8ut similar issuesK ;e tal ;ith 8ur :riendsK ;edrin en8rm8us am8unts 8: c8FeeK ;e ch88se ;hat t8 d8% There is n8thing msteri8usa=8ut an 8: this% The 8nl thing that maes it a@@ear msteri8us is the mth that udgesha>e an ad>antage that 8rdinar citiDens d8 n8t ha>e that all8;s them t8 adudicate>alue c8nJicts rati8nall legal reas8ning% But there is reall n8thing a=8ut legalreas8ning that gi>es udges an edge 8n diHcult @8litical and m8ral uesti8ns% All it d8esis articulate in a m8re sstematic :ashi8n the c8nJicting arguments that are generallc8nsidered rele>ant t8 @8litical and m8ral uesti8ns. :66 4udges ha>e n8 =ettern8;ledge than an8ne else 8: h8; t8 ans;er th8se uesti8ns% Their @8;er is legitimate

8nl t8 the etent ;e >ie; their decisi8ns as g88d and t8 the etent ;e >ie; the currentmeth8ds 8: ch88sing udges and all8;ing them t8 adudicate dis@utes as a >alidalternati>e t8 8ther s8rts 8: dis@ute res8luti8n and la;maing.




ALTER$ATI)E,S.L)E$C ALIE$ATI.$ 1/1

T-E ALTER$ATI)E S.L)ES ALIE$ATI.$ ,IT IS &E T. C-ALLE$E T-E SMB.LIC A!T-.RIT . T-E LA3%


*-?- - -?@+ @+,=- + <8?+- ,+ - + - =+?- - @<- + ?+-?+

+8-- ,< + ,-< -- ?=- the @r8=lem 8: inc8m@lete c8nGdence @laces aninternal limit 8n ;hat ;e sh8uld e@ect these >ict8ries al8ne t8 @r8duce% $8t 8nl arethe d8u=le<edged in the sense that 8thers ;ill use them t8 e@l8it the m8>ementsuncertaint a=8ut itsel:K the are als8 Oust ;8rdsO << their e>8cati>e @8;er cann8t =ee@ected t8 g8 >er :ar in carring 8ut the aim 8: strengthening the m8>ements =8nd =@enetrating the =8undaries 8: @u=lic s@ace. T P= H I 8- <- -=--- 44

the m8>ements engagement ;ith State 8Hcials its Olegal strategO has g8t t8 su=sumethe g8al 8: e@anding its rights ;ithin a m8re general eF8rt t8 e@and its e>8cati>ea@@eal% It must attem@t t8 rec8nstitute the >er :8rm 8: eisting legal settings = using@la? stle? music? cr8;ds? and anthing else that can em=8d its message ;ith en8ughli:e t8 er8de the auth8ritarian ualit 8: these settings and t8 get its message dee@lacr8ss and dee@l =ac in again in a ;a that legal arguments in their current :8rmcann8t d8% .=>i8usl this al8ne ;ill n8t s8l>e the @r8=lem 8: I 8- ?==- the r8tating

lac 8: c8nGdence in the desire 8: the 8ther that tends t8 ;eaen the m8>ement :r8m;ithin% But the m8re than ;e can desancti: the :8rms 8: sm=8lic auth8rit that areused = 8thers t8 generate the O=elie:O thr8ugh ;hich alienati8n =ec8mes the la;? them8re liel it is that ;e can ins@ire 8thers t8 ins@ire us that ;e n8; ;hat ;ere talinga=8ut << that ;e can + + =e 8ursel>es? mae c8ntact? ha>e a g88d time? Otae c8ntr8l8: the means 8: @r8ducti8n?O and generall c8me 8ut :r8m =ehind the :a=ric 8: a@@earances thr8ugh ;hich ;e mae each 8ther h8stage t8 the illusi8n that it is distancerather than a g88d heart turned 8ut;ard that the la; in us reuires.



Michigan Classic 2009 +* / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

ALTER$ATI)E,RE4ECT "ETERMI$AC . T-E LA3 1/1

RE4ECT T-E AIRMATI)ES "ETERMI$ATI)E )IE3 . LEAL T-E.R I$ A).R . A$ E6'RESSI)E )IE3,T-IS IS

&E T. !$REEE T-E LA3 A$" 'RE)E$T A!T-.RITARIA$ISM %


The alternati>e t8 traditi8nal legal the8r - is t8 >ie; legal the8r :63 as e@ressi>erather than determinati>e% Legal the8r cann8t tell us ;hat t8 >alue? =ut it can hel@ usB<- ?+= ?;- mae ch8ices = hel@ing us t8 articulate ;hat ;e >alue. I 8- - +

+ ,+ + -F@-8- -+ - += ,- < +. In Gguring 8ut ;hat t8 d8 and h8; t8li>e? ;e sh8uld rec8gniDe n8t 8nl 8ur acti>e r8le in sha@ing =8th 8ur th8ughts andacti8ns? =ut als8 the s8cial and ide8l8gical c8ntet in ;hich ;e 8@erate . :P-+@=- - - ++ MF -== , - + + - - @=-- - + + - - ???- ?+- ,

--=8- , - ???- -?= + <8- - + - @. 177 3e sh8uld =ec8m:8rta=le >ie;ing =8th rati8nalit and s8cial li:e as hist8ricall and culturall situated .

17! )ie;ing legal the8r in this ;a ;ill all8; us t8 e8rcise the ;r8ng:ul e@ectati8nthat s8me @8liticall neutral? ahist8rical meth8d can generate ans;ers t8 uesti8ns a=8ut;hat the legal rules sh8uld =e.

M+-+8- ;e cann8t res@8nd adeuatel t8 @r8=lems :aced in li:e = generating a=stractm8ral categ8ries% "iscussi8n 8: m8ral and legal ch8ices must :8cus 8n the rich c8ntet in;hich th8se @r8=lems 8ccur% 8r s8me @ur@8ses? it ma =e use:ul t8 characteriDe t;8@ers8ns as Oem@l8erO and Oem@l8eeO and t8 de>el8@ generaliDati8ns t8 descri=e andg8>ern their relati8nshi@s% But it is im@8rtant t8 remem=er that these are real @e8@le ;eare taling a=8ut? and ;hen ;e descri=e them in this ;a :8r the @ur@8se 8: udging ;hattheir relati8ns sh8uld =e lie? ;e are cl8sing 8ursel>es 8F :r8m their actual li:ee@eriences% 3e can thin im@ers8nall a=8ut a =us=8 as sim@l re@resenting the ta=le<clearing :uncti8nK 8r ;e can descri=e him? sa? as a :8rt<ear<8ld man? recentl di>8rced?;ith =ac tr8u=le and m8ne @r8=lems. A R+,- G++ <- ;e need Ot8 un:reeDe the ;8rldas it a@@ears t8 c8mm8n sense as a =unch 8: m8re 8r less 8=ecti>el determined s8cialrelati8ns and t8 mae it a@@ear as ;e =elie>e it reall is @e8@le acting? imagining?rati8naliDing? 4usti:ing%O 179

It ma indeed =e use:ul t8 de>el8@ general m8dels t8 descri=e s8cial li:e% But ;hen itc8mes time t8 mae decisi8ns? ;e sh8uld rec8gniDe that ;e are maing decisi8ns ratherthan disc8>ering 8ursel>es% In maing th8se decisi8ns? it is right t8 :8cus 8n the@articular s8cial c8ntet? t8 decide ;hether 8ur descri@ti>e m8del actuall a@@lies in thatcase and ;hether ;e are all8;ing the m8del t8 turn 8ur attenti8n a;a :r8m :acts that;e ;8uld 8ther;ise c8nsider t8 =e im@8rtant.



Michigan Classic 2009 ++ / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

ALTER$ATI)E,'ARALLEL LEAL S STEM 1/1

T-E ALTER$ATI)E CA$ CREATE A 'ARALLEL LEAL !$I)ERSE T-AT C-ALLE$ES A!T-.RITARIA$ISM ,T-IS IS A

'REREN!ISITE T. S.L)I$ T-E CASE%

P-- ABEL +- P-- P+-+ + L N- C+==-<- + C=+ C+D-?+ + -

P+-? + I-<< S@= L P+=? 2009:'L A E?++? C?= L-<= S- A T- H<- L> C?= L-<= S- A A S@= P??-( Pe''erdine Law

Review B36 P-@@. L. R-8. 515 A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-FN-F

A== + these eF8rts reuire a ne; legal culture that lins ustice ;ith e@licitl s@iritual8utc8mes +?+- that :8ster em@ath? c8m@assi8n? and s8cial c8nnecti8n rather than the>indicati8n 8: li=eral rights in a legal 8rder :8unded u@8n the :ear<=ased se@arati8n 8: sel: and 8ther. O- =-+ CLS ?+=@ -= < it is im@8ssi=le :8r a s8cialtrans:8rmati8n m8>ement t8 =e success:ul ;ith8ut an a=ilit t8 e@ress its 8;n ideals asals8 ideals 8: ustice that can achie>e legitimate @8litical e@ressi8n thr8ugh legalculture% 3ith8ut that? K= K=- A= -- +- 8- + 32 the m8>ementsradical ideals ;ill =e recast and st8len a;a = the li=eral inter@retati8ns th8sem8>ements ;ill suFer thr8ugh the @rism 8: legal assum@ti8ns that actuall c8ntradictthem. T ;hile the m8>ement must create the O@arallel uni>erseO that can aHrm the8nt8l8gical/e@istem8l8gical >alidit 8: the @8ssi=ilit 8: a s8ciet =ased 8n l8>e andmutual rec8gniti8n? the m8>ement als8 reuires a legal e@ressi8n 8: itsel: that declaresthis same realiDati8n 8: l8>e and mutual rec8gniti8n t8 =e indis@ensa=le t8 ust 8utc8mes8: s8cial c8nJicts.

Such a @arallel ustice sstem has alread =egun t8 s@r8ut u@ acr8ss the legal landsca@e?al8ngside the antag8nism 8: sel: and 8ther? @resu@@8sed and rein:8rced = themainstreams ad>ersar sstem. A+< -+ - - = -,=- -+8- ?- +8--

? - ?- +?= 8+=-?- -F@-8- + ,-+ ?+ @- + @+=+< +<8-- +< -? -?+- ,--- 8? +-- - + -++ + - ?+= ,? 33- +8- -<,- -+ +8-- - ?+@+ ?-= +,-?8- + --+=+ + ?8= ?+? 34 - - :531 + + @==+- = @??- - --Q< - =-?=--=+@ +-??= +=? -=+@ ? =- ,< ,8- += -=< 8+ + ,- +- ?=-J @-?-@+ + + - -- - -=+ + +- -- + - -==,-< + - =<- ?+35 - ++ + =-<= -?+ + +? + - -- @=+ + -F< =- +?-+ +- - @== -<- ?+?-@+ + = ?-.




ALTER$ATI)E,REI$TER'RET T-E C.$STIT!TI.$ 1/1

T-E ALTER$ATI)E CA$ REI$TER'RET T-E C.$STIT!TI.$ ITSEL ,$.RMATI)E "EBATES AB.!T )AL!ES S-.!L"

"ICTATE '.LIC ? $.T T-E RECEI)E" 3IS".M . A STALE ".C!ME$T%

R+, L. 3EST A P+-+ + L - U8- + M= S?++= + L 19((:'T- A+ I@=- C++= L( University of (ia)i Law Review B42 U. M L. R-8. 531 & A8=,=-O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-FN-F

:552 T-- - < - += + +- +- += + +=- + ?-- - @?@+ - = + - - -?- - + @,=? += ? - -8--=- ?+ + +=. 3e cann8t +

-F@=- sim@l a=8lish the c8nstituti8nal tet e>en i: its eistence :rustrates m8re than:acilitates n8rmati>e de=ate ? I ,-=-8- +-. "- ?+ -8-- + +?= ?+- + ?=

-8- -8- ?= -8- - ?;- @?@+ ? @+,,= +-. 3e can? h8;e>er?rein>ig8rate the @ragmatic inter@retati8ns 8: 8ur @8litical the8r% 3e can d8 s8 @ =em@hasiDing the hist8rical eistence and the im@8rtance 8: th8se traditi8ns t8 8ur legaland c8nstituti8nal instituti8ns% 3e can als8 d8 s8 = c8ntinuing t8 ;8r ;ithin th8seinter@reti>e strategies% 3e can generate @ragmatic? c8ntetual acc8unts 8: the >alues 8: 8ur indi>idualistic and c8mmunitarian c8mmitments% 3e ha>e all li>ed in raciallsegregated 8r integrated c8mmunities? and attended raciall segregated 8r integratedsch88ls% 3e ha>e li>ed ;ith legaliDed a=8rti8n :8r 8>er a decade% 3e ha>e gr8;n u@ in aculture that criminaliDes h8m8seualit% 3e c8uld rein>ig8rate 8ur @ragmatic traditi8ns

= sim@l descri=ing h8; th8se e@eriences ha>e enriched 8r de@ri>ed 8ur senses 8: sel: and c8mmunit% 3e c8uld discuss ;hether and h8; the a>aila=ilit 8: legal a=8rti8n hasenriched 8ur sense 8: indi>idual sel:<;8rth% 3e c8uld descri=e ;hat is surel a near<uni>ersal e@erience in this culture? the e@erience 8: learning h8m8@h8=ic :ears% 3ec8uld J88d the maret ;ith @ragmatic c8nstituti>e arguments situated in 8ur e@eriences8: indi>idual and s8cial li:e? as th8se e@eriences relate t8 c8nstituti>e uesti8ns% I: ;ed8 s8? c8urts might =e s8me;hat less inclined t8 claim that the ;isd8m 8: a ma8ritarianc8mmitment 8r an indi>idual c8ntractual ch8ice is =e8nd the sc8@e 8: c8herent de=ate%C8nstituti8nal de=ate might there= =ec8me m8re n8rmati>e% .nl ;hen c8nstituti8nalde=ate =ec8mes n8rmati>e ;ill it =e a :8rm 8: de=ate? 8r dial8gue? in ;hich the legalc8mmunit can tae @ride? and ;hich might =e ;8rth sharing .



Michigan Classic 2009 + / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

#####A2




T-E SA ,U'ERM!TATI.$SV 1/1

E)E$ I T-E 'LA$ IS C.$SISTE$T 3IT- T-E ALTER$ATI)E? ITS A".'TI.$ 3ILL "ERAIL T-E 'R.CESS . S.CIAL

TRA$S.RMATI.$,T-IS E)I"E$CE AL.$E 3ILL BEAT T-EIR 'ERM!TATI.$%


B, T- =? + @+< @. Su@@8se 8ne d8es @r8>ide a =lue@rint + - + --- @@+- ?=- +, ++ -= @?@=-. N+ 8- ? - @-- @+< + - @ + @- + +,++. I-- + - -F- ?+@++ @++ = + "+ L- @+< ?=- +, ++ - @ +

+< + +@@+- -. .@@8nents ;ill then charge the @art 8: humanit ;ithinc8nsistenc and 8@@8rtunism :8r :ailing t8 su@@8rt @r8grams aimed directl atim@lementing elements :1400 8: the =lue@rint and um@ing 8n the =and;ag8n 8: 8@@8siti8n e>en i: the issue has n8thing t8 d8 ;ith the =lue@rint.

O?- < the tra@ is s@rung =ecause the 8@@8nents rel 8n an unstated and str8ngl heldthe8r 8: s8cial trans:8rmati8n. =< + @@+ +- + + +, ++ + -8- -< + +@ -=

+ + +, ++ @ + +J @+=?= @+< ?+- += +- <- + -- + -- , -< +J

@+< - -- -=;+ + --. $- , + - -. The immediate im@lementati8n8: 8ne @art 8: the =lue@rint ? +, < ;ithin a s8cial setting in ;hich n8thing elsechanged might im@ede rather than ad>ance s8cial trans:8rmati8n. 123 I + =ecauses8cial structures are c8m@le? e>en i: an ideal sstem + +, ++ ;ere esta=lished it mightn8t lead t8 general trans:8rmati8n as directl 8r as uicl as 8ther acti8ns% C8m@leitmeans that the =est 8ne can d8 is assess the eisting circumstances and mae atentati>e @8litical udgment a=8ut ;hat seems m8st liel t8 d8 a little g88d% There aren8 grand strategies :8r general trans:8rmati8n? 8nl care:ul analsis 8: eisting andusuall uite l8caliDed circumstances. T there need =e n8 8=>i8us c8nnecti8n =et;eent8das @r8gram and the =lue@rint% But 8nce ha>ing acceded t8 the reuest :8r a=lue@rint? 8ne is at a rhet8rical disad>antage ;hen there a@@ears t8 =e n8 c8nnecti8n atall =et;een t8das @r8gram and the =lue@rint.

T-E RIS& . A LI$& IS -I- ,T-E ALTER$ATI)E AL.$E IS S!'ERI.R%

P-- ABEL P+-+ + L - N- C+==-<- + C=+ S?++= + L 19(+

:'T- P-+-+=+< + R<C+?+- - P? + - " S-=8-( Texas Law Review B62 T-F. L. R-8. 1563 MA8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-FN-F

T ;hen a m8>ement manages t8 rich8chet int8 eistence thr8ugh an un@redicta=lec8n>ergence 8: OignitingO material and cultural circumstances c8m=ined ;ith anirreduci=le element 8: :ree c8mmitment = th8se ;h8 tae the ris 8: reci@r8cati8n? it@r8duces a :15!! disalienating energ that ;ants t8 challenge e>erthing that is B?@=

@? -? - - and a set 8: s@eciGc demands :8r change that deri>e :r8m them8>ements @articular 8rigins and that are ins@ired? c8nsci8usl 8r unc8nsci8usl? = its>isi8n 8: the larger end% It is thr8ugh its attem@t t8 realiDe these demands that them8>ement c8mes u@ against Othe la;?O n8t 8nl =ecause it ;ants t8 d8 things that areillegal and that can =e @re>ented = :8rce? =ut als8 =ecause it ;ants t8 c8ntest the >eralienated c8nsci8usness thr8ugh ;hich the gr8u@ as a ;h8le deGnes h8; O;eO arec8nstituted% 8r ;hile these demands :8r change al;as ha>e a @ractical dimensi8n? the

must =e underst88d in their 8nt8l8gical dimensi8n as demands :8r rec8gniti8n 8: them8>ements desire t8 change the ;h8le ;8rld? and - 8- -- it is @recisel thistranscendental desire that eisting legal th8ught is c8nstructed t8 den% 8r them8>ement t8 succeed in dri>ing its energ int8 @u=lic s@ace? ;hich it must d8 in 8rder t8sustain itsel: as a m8>ement in the :ace 8: the aniet and resistance that it @r8>8es inthe an8nm8us O@u=licO and e>en ;ithin its 8;n mem=ers? it must engage in a struggle;ith the eisting legal O=elie:<sstemO 8>er the >er meaning 8: ;h8 O;eO are and h8;;e are reall c8nstituted as s8cial =eings.



Michigan Classic 2009 +( / 59Batterman/Tallungan Critical Legal Studies

T-E SA ,UT-E LA3 IS "ETERMI$ATEV / U& . I$"ETERMI$AC T-ESISV 1/1

T-E LA3 IS I$"ETERMI$ATE,LA3 CA$$.T BE SE'ARATE" R.M ITS S.CIAL C.$TE6T %


T-- +,-?+ + ??= =-<= - += ,- -- -- -F-- -= , - -J. I ?

- - =- -+- + -= - -?+. T-- detract8rs see critical sch8lars asinstrumentalist 8nl =ecause the inc8rrectl attri=ute s8me 8: their 8;n instrumentalistassum@ti8ns t8 these sch8lars.

O- @+ -+ + - ,-=- ??= ?+= 8- ?+- - -= @+-? ,-- - -?

-@-+ + - ?++8-= --? -. The indeterminanc thesis is n8thing m8rethan the argument that legal d8ctrine d8es n8t c8m@el results =ecause it isOindeterminate%O .n an c8ntr8>ersial issue? 8@@8sing >ie;s can each deri>e su@@8rt:r8m auth8ritati>e d8ctrinal s8urces% This OthesisO ,-- ?+-?= -++ ?-= + - ??=

?+=J ? + =-<= += , has =een misunderst88d as an e@ressi8n 8: instrumentalism.

T- +8+ + ??= =-<= ?+= @--< - --? - -= -++ ,-?- =- -+?= =- ? - --? - -= ---. L- =- @=?+ 8 +?=

?+-F. C+@=- @-? ?+?-@+ + - < @= ,,- - =-<= +?---- - +?+- + ?-. C+@=- +- ?--= +- < <<- ?- - +?---- -=. I ? ,- ?+@=- <= --? +-= + +?- > =-<= +?- - + --?-,-?- =< ?= -- --- -=. A=-8-= ? ,- ?+@=- <= --- +-= + +?-> =-<= +?- --- ,-?- -< ,-?8- ,-8+ @-?,=-.

"=- + ??= ?+= - +-< =- - =- -=8-= --- +-= + +?- - -?+ ,-- +- <= --? +-= + +?- + -. A??+<= -- -@? 8- -++ - --?- + :!93 @= + += =-<= =<<- + +?- = + --- +?= ?+-F , - +?=?+-F --- =-<= +?-. T +- --- - +- - <8-. I -@-< - --?- <- +?= ?+-F --- - -< @@=?+ + =-<= =<<- -- -?+ +<=?,- + ??= =-<= - - + 8- + - +?= += --- ==-,=-. T- == - - ??= ?+= - - ?+< 8- + =<<- -@--= @=,=- 8== -<=-=- ---?- + - += + +?= ?.

N+ + =++< - += ?++= ?==- @+8 +- ??= =-<= ?+= 8- -F@=?= --?-.

Critical sch8lars d8nt see legal language as indeterminate relati>e t8 the s8cial c8ntett8 ;hich it re:ers% Rather the see legal language as indeterminate =ecause 8: theindeterminac 8: the s8cial c8ntet t8 ;hich it re:ers% The s8cial ;8rld ;hich legal rulesattem@t t8 g8>ern ma =e descri=ed in >ari8us ;as% The O:actsO t8 ;hich legal decisi8nmaers @ur@8rt t8 a@@l legal rules are ca@a=le 8: inGnitel >aried descri@ti8n% Theam=iguit 8: the s8cial ;8rld :rustrates instrumentalist eF8rts t8 e@lain 8r @rescri=elegal rules 8n the =asis 8: their ser>ice t8 certain interests% 3hether de@l8ed :8re@lanat8r 8r @rescri@ti>e @ur@8ses? instrumental analses are @remised 8n theassum@ti8n that =8th the causes 8: legal rules B- ?8 + ?- -- <+@ and theirc8nseuences B+ - -- + +- <+@ can =e n8;n% et critical legal sch8lars c8ntestthese assum@ti8ns :8r t;8 reas8ns the indeterminac 8: causes and the indeterminac8: interests.

* << ?---? -=+@ - --- critical legal sch8lars are n8t suggesting that

legal rules ha>e neither causes n8r eFects% The are 8nl suggesting that the eFect 8: legal rules cann8t =e @redicted ;ith suHcient determinac t8 guide la; re:8rm% And i: the eFects 8: legal rules cann8t =e @redicted? th8se eFects << e>en assuming the can =edetermined a:ter the :act << are n8t liel t8 ser>e as @ersuasi>e e@lanati8ns :8renactment 8: the rules.




T-E SA ,ULA3 EM'IRICALL EECTI)EV 1/1

T-E -A)E IT BAC&3AR",S.CIAL M.)EME$TS 3ERE EECTI)E !$TIL T-E 3ERE C..'TE" B T-E LA3,.$L

T-E ALTER$ATI)E CA$ S.L)E%


There is little @8int in im@r8>ing the a=ilit 8: the maret? the elect8ral @r8cess? and thead>ersar sstem t8 re@resent interests i: th8se interests are c8nstituted in the >er@r8cess 8: re@resentati8n. A??+<= - critical sch8lars anti<instrumentalism is aimed n8t8nl against these instituti8ns? =ut als8 against li=eral re:8rms designed t8 im@r8>ethem. T +- + - + -+ @+<-8- =- =-<= ?+= 8- -- ??= =-<= ?+= ?+-@+?8- ,;- +- ?++8- --8< -@? ?+<- --=8- +- -=- +-<<< @+<-8- 8+??. $- + ,-- - -+ + ? ??. T+ - + ? ?? ?+=,- ?+- -- + @- - ?+<- @+=?= ?8 - 8- + @ - ?+-F + - -?- + -=.

S- ?+-F ? ?? + =,-= -+ +8-- @@- + +==+ +- + + @. O- ? @ -F-@=Q- , A= --J L-<;< R?= D?+ T+< A?+ L 16 K= K=-J &?=D-?=;+ + - "<- A?. 17 T-- @-?- ??;- -?+= = B?+ = ?- *+ =-<=+ B- NLRA - ?++= +< + ,- + ?-8-- + @+<-8- @+=?. T- ??;- --

@r8ducts 8: @r8gressi>e @8litics --?= ,-?- =- - made min8r adustments t8

@r8>ide the a@@earance 8: @r8tecti8n :8r @ers8ns 8: c8l8r and ;8ring @e8@le these legalchanges ha>e? in @ractice? le:t the decisi8n maing :902 instituti8n 8: the maret intact.N+ - @+ + -- Q -- ?=- - - ?- +@@-- - @++ +- ?=- ,= ,- + +- @-+ + ?+=+. M+ -- <+ + + - ? MF ?+=@ -- + + - <8- = - <- + + ,< ,+ - +8-+ + ?@= --- <<=- + ?8= < + ?+==-?8- ,<< - =- -?-.

I ? +-8- these @ieces cele=rate the @8litical struggles that =r8ught a=8ut these li=eralre:8rms% 3hat the lament is the ehausti8n 8: such @8litical m8>ements as a result 8: their em=8diment in instituti8ns? s@eciGcall in adustments t8 the gr8und rules :8r=argaining ;ithin a maret. A??+< + K=- -- these m8>ements did n8t :ail =ecausethe acce@ted the instituti8n 8: the maretK t8 the c8ntrar? the challenged theinstituti8n 8: the maret = em=8ding a :8rm 8: ass8ciati8n and decisi8n mainginc8nsistent ;ith it% These m8>ements ;ere c8ntained = the maret? h8;e>er? ;hen

their struggles ;ere em=8died in rules administered = 8thers ;h8 did n8t share thestruggles 8: these @e8@le and ;8uld n8t hear their >8ices% The la=8r m8>ement ;as thesetting :8r c8llecti>e @artici@ati8n in @8litical decisi8n maing a=8ut the meaning andsha@e 8: ;8rK la=8r la; reduced it t8 a c8mm8n ec8n8mic interest% The ci>il rightsm8>ement ;as a :8rum :8r @assi8n? @artici@ati8n? interracial understanding? s8lidaritand sacriGceK it ;as entire c8mmunities c8alescing and rising in resistance% Ci>il rightsla; e>entuall reduced it t8 a right t8 g8>ernmental indiFerence% Ci>il rights la; n8;treats racism as an un:8rtunate c8nsumer @re:erence 8n the @art 8: indi>iduals ratherthan the sstematic eclusi8n :r8m s8ciet and @8litics 8: a >ital c8mmunit. I + --?=- + + <- ?+-@ + - =,+ ?8= < +8-- -=-8 ,-?- - + @- +=-8+=+ < ?@=. T- ?-=-,- -- +8-- + + +?+ -?+ < -- + --=8- <++ ?- =-8- + -=.




T-E SA ,U"EMA$" .R RA$" T-E.R V 1/1

T-EIR "EMA$" .R !S T. 'R.)I"E A RA$" T-E.R T. E6'LAI$ .!R ALTER$ATI)E IS BASELESS '.ST!RI$ %


It is ;r8ng t8 ;ait ar8und :8r the ne; -8==es? the ne; Blacst8ne? the ne; -8lmes? the

ne; Mar? the ne; Ra;ls% It is ;r8ng t8 e@ect that s8me =rilliant ne; @hil8s8@her ;illc8me u@ ;ith s8me grand the8r that ;ill ans;er 8ur uesti8ns 8: ;hat t8 =elie>e andh8; t8 li>e% There is n8thing t8 ;ait :8r% 3e d8 n8t need a ne; general the8r that can =itsel: =8th e@lain the rules in :8rce and udge them% And i: an8ne c8mes u@ ;ith such athe8r? ;e sh8uld >ie; it ;ith distrust% eneral the8ries d8 n8t ans;er 8ur greatuesti8nsK i: th8se the8ries c8uld ans;er such uesti8ns? the ;8uld n8t =e greatuesti8ns.

CRITICISM AL.$E IS )AL!ABLE,RE4ECT T-EIR I"E.L.ICAL BLAC&MAIL %


Criticism cann8t magicall generate ans;ers% Internal criticism ?? - @<J

?- < - @< -= merel sh8;s that a certain the8r d8es n8t d8 ;hat it@ur@8rts t8 d8. + -F@=- -+< -+ ?= + ,- --- ? --- @-=-<8- + + -++ :61 +- + - -== + - -+ ? ,- - --- + -- -+= ,- --- --- -+- ==.

O - +- eternal criticism ?? ?==-<- - -= @+ + +- + ?+-

BR+J += ?+- als8 cann8t generate ans;ers% An alternati>e @remises thatmight =e the =asis 8: a ne; @aradigm ha>e alread =een assumed =e:8re the critiue=egan. T the eternal critiue 8: the 8ld @aradigm d8es n8t gi>e us anthing ne;ece@t a striing c8ntrast ;ith the ne; @aradigm ;e ha>e alread in>ented .

3e cann8t e@ect the ne; t8 emerge @h8eni<lie :r8m the 8ld% Traditi8nal legal the8rists

ha>e assumed that the8r is? 8r sh8uld =e determinati>e << that the g8al 8: the8r is t8generate ans;ers. + 8- + - -- - ,-=-8- @+,=- + Q + + + , < - < . I @+,=- + ??- 8- + -+ - ,-=- @+ -+ ,+ =- ? ,- --, - + += -??= -?+ @+?--. A I 8- -F@=- +-8- - +@?- 8-+ + 8- + +8- -+ - + -??= ==> T- -F@=?= ??+ + - ?8- +=- + - -+ -?+<. T--8- ?+,- <-+ -=-- + ,+ --? --? +,-?8 ,-?8 + <8- --- -+ ?+ + ?+?- += + - -F- ?+ -,=- ==+ +88- <- -F,= += + - -F- +- =- - -,=-. 176 * - - == - +@?- 8-+ + -+ -- + -?,- -?+ @+?-- ,- + - ++ - @--= ?+8?< - ?+ ?+8?-

@-?-= ,-?- - - + +@?-. T- =- ?+- + + > 8r a the8r t8 generate ans;ers?it must =e mechanical? et n8 mechanical the8r can render an adeuate acc8unt 8: 8ure@erience 8: legitimate m8ral ch8ice% 3e cann8t e>en esca@e the dilemma = tring t8mae s8me 8: 8ur ch8ices B- ?+- mechanical and s8me B- @-@- 8@enended $8mechanical ch8ices a@@ear t8 =e uneui>8call >alid. M+-+8- the hist8r 8: legal th8ughthas re@eatedl dem8nstrated that an indeterminac in a the8r :atall undermines the

a@@earance 8: determinac else;hereK i: the the8r reall c8ntains indeterminate@rinci@les? s8me8ne ;h8 8@@8ses a rule 8r an 8utc8me ;ithin the su@@8sedldeterminate? 8=ecti>e c8re ;ill ine>ita=l use an 8@en<ended standard t8 re8@en anissue that ;as su@@8sed t8 ha>e =een laid @ermanentl t8 rest? and the the8r itsel: ;illena=le her t8 d8 this.




T-E SA ,UCASE .!T3EI-SV 1/1

A!T-.RITARIA$ISM MA&ES '.SSIBLE !$'ARALLELE" .''RESSI.$ ,T-E IM'ACT T. T-E CRITIN!E .!T3EI-S A$" T!R$S T-E CASE%


Su=stanti>e auth8ritarianism means 8@@8siti8n t8 the Oli=eralO >alues 8: t8lerance 8: am=iguit and diFerence? insistence 8n 8=edience t8 rules? insistence 8n c8n:8rmit? anduse 8: c8erci8n and @unishment t8 ensure that 8=edience% reuentl ass8ciated ;ithen8@h8=ic nati8nalism 8r ethn8centrism? 1! auth8ritarianism in the su=stanti>e sense is@remised 8n a sus@ici8us and distrust:ul >ie; 8: human nature and is :reuentl lined?=8th 8n a @ers8nal and @8litical le>el? t8 racism? anti<semitism and @atriarch% 19

Su=stanti>e auth8ritarianism 8@@resses in the name 8: 8rder and c8ntr8l% This :8rm 8: auth8ritarianism ma reach the etreme le>el it did in $aDi erman and Stalinist Russia8r a@@ear in milder :8rms? as it did during the McCarth era - U- S- ;hen -=

+ - - -F-- += the g8>ernment @8- ?= @@+ used la; t8@ersecute and @unish citiDens :8r =eing Oun<American%O 20




T-E SA ,UALTER$ATI)E ".ES$T ". A$T-I$V

T-EIR CALL .R 'RE"ETERMI$E" S.L!TI.$S S-.!L" BE RE4ECTE" ,"EC.$STR!CTI.$ IS &E T. MA&E L.CAL S.L!TI.$S '.SSIBLE%

R+,- ". .R".$ P+-+ + L S+ U8- 19(7:'U--;< L-<= R-=> C?= A@@+?- T+ L( Florida State University Law Review B15 =. S. U.L. R-8. 195 S-A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+ 8 L-FN-F

The @8int 8: analsis =- is sim@l t8 un:reeDe? t8 Odec8nstruct?O this tin eercise in;8rldmaing << t8 @8int 8ut that certain inds 8: :amiliar c8mm8n<sense categ8ries ?

- @,=?@8- ?+ -@=+- ?+? ?+- can =e turned u@side d8;n s8 as t8 shae u@8ur c8n>enti8nal @erce@ti8ns 8: realit. P-+@=- -? --= + + + -++>

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

- - +@@+ -.B, S@@+- - +@@+ +- =- + ?- .-. @@+- + - - =- + +-+- =- A- V+- + ?=- ++-+- =- &<- P-?-. " +- - ?- <<- + + + O- - + @- + -F@+ + - < + ? ?+ + -+? + -?+ -@;- ?-= += <+= + - =-<=- - @+-?+ + - =+<- ?@? + @??= --+ - -+?-- + Q? +,=<+ + @-+@=- +- - -++== -@-- - =- -=-8?- + += < + - + =+<- <@?- ,< ++. T += ,- 8- ,=+ + - + - -?+?+ + +?= =- , - @+ 8= +?= =- @--= ?+- ?+?- + + ==+ + ? ? + ?+?+ += ,- -= ,=+. T- V+- ?- -= -@+- ALR 2! ,-- -@- ,- + ?+? ,++ + ?== = - ??=+ - =-<= ?=-.B? "+= - +@+ + ? -- + @+-? ?+- < ,-< 8?;- , ?- + @??-"-== + @+,,= + ? == -F?-@ @-@ + -=@ ;- - @+,=-. C++ = -<=+ +< - ? + =-= + @+8- ? =-8-<- < ,- + ,-?- + ?-,?- - + ++ =+< - ?- - ? --@ ,< + ?+- + - ?+?. 29 A =- + A- V+- + < -+< ,+ - -- + + -=@ +- 8+ += @+,,= -- +- + + =-8-<- + -+ =+?= , ?- ?+@- @,=? =+,,< <+@ + - -=-= + ?+= @ + =-<=+=+<-- @+,< =+<- ?+?< :219 ? ,-- 30 + +. T- -== ,? @+,=- -8-=-, ?- + =+-= @-+@=- - + - @=?- -- - ?+- + @-+@=- + +?- +--< @,=?. T + ?+- ? =<- @+,=- =-<= @??- 8- =+ +- - ?-< =-<= @??- ?+= @= +- +=- -=+< , +- ?+? = -?+ ?+--= 8- ? -?.

3hat I ;ant t8 urge? in res@8nse t8 the :reuentl heard uesti8n? OBut ;hat s8luti8nsd8es CLS ha>eO is that there cann8t =e an @redesigned set 8: Os8luti8nsO + - +?=

+ -8-=- , - V+- ?-. There is a @8litics 8: stasis << ;hich is the n8rmal @8litics 8: thelegal sstem << and a @8litics 8: trans:8rmati8n? ;h8se tactics and strategies ;8uld ha>et8 >ar l8call acc8rding t8 l8cal c8ntets% The 8utsider t8 the c8ntet can at =est identi:a set 8: strategies that ha>e ;8red else;here? at 8ther @laces and times? and s8mereas8ns ;h the strategies might 8r might n8t ;8r in this 8ne% Creati>e >ariati8n must=e a tas :8r the @e8@le 8n the scene.




T-E SA ,U .! CA$T "ESCRIBE .!R ALTER$ATI)EV 1/1

T-EIR CALL .R !S T. BL!E'RI$T .!R ALTER$ATI)E IS A RE" -ERRI$ ,RE4ECT T-EIR MI$"LESS CALL .R

CERTAI$T %


1. A< *=-@. Initiall it seems 8nl reas8na=le t8 reuire that the @art 8: humanit@r8>ide a =lue@rint? e>en a crude 8ne? 8: a trans:8rmed s8ciet% But =lue@rints in>aria=llead t8 a num=er 8: rhet8rical tra@s ? I == =,-= +@ =? + @+< S=.

.@@8siti8nisms re:usal t8 accede t8 such reuests =+< == +< @r8>es ? + ,- anessential c8m@8nent 8: the @r8cess 8: s8cial trans:8rmati8n.

B T- +@ @. The reuest :8r a =lue@rint =egins m8destl en8ugh? ;ith 8@@8nentsasing :8r s8me idea 8: h8; things ;ill =e in a trans:8rmed s8ciet? s8 that the mae>aluate its attracti8ns and riss as c8m@ared ;ith the status u8 . * @@+- +- -@+ -- == ,- =+ + ,??=- ?+@- <- == - <. O@@+- + - @ + 8,=- @@ - - ,=-@ -= -= =- - +<;+ + + B+ - -,??=- + ,- @+?- ,+ B+ <- - ?+@- @+=? B+ -?- + - F ,--- ?+@- ,??=-.

This reuest :8r a =lue@rint dealing ;ith :undamentals is a tra@ :8r se>eral reas8ns% irst?

8ne uicl disc8>ers that the 8@@8nents reall ;ant n8t a =lue@rint =ut an incredi=ldetailed @r8gram that deals ;ith e>erthing 8ur current sstem d8es > @+==+ +??

@---?- @-8-+ + +. .ne cann8t @8ssi=l satis: the im@ulses that generate thereuest :8r a =lue@rint. E8- +- as s88n as the details =egin t8 =e setched in? theO=lue@rintO can =e dismissed either as h8@elessl ut8@ian @+,=- + @=-- + +

?<- @-+= ?- 8r mindlessl sectarian @+?- , +-+- + @+ + -

@++ + - A=, -+. T- @?@=- + +, ++ + -F@=- ?==-<- :1399 -8,= =-< +-?++? -?-? +- +- = =- <8- - ?+@8- 8<- +- @-?= - +?- + + +,. BI +=J + 8- ? I -=@- -. * @-@ -??= ?=- ? -?@? ?= =-<= <- - ?@?. A @@- -- - -@+- + - +,-?+ + -?-?. C+@8- 8<- - ? -=8-= == @-+@=- -- + =-8- - +, =- -- - +- +, + +- - - =-= + +?? +< @-?= =- - ?+- + @-<- ?- + - +,.

* the m8re detailed the res@8nses =ec8me? the m8re ut8@ian the scheme seems . H+ +-F@=- - - <+< + <-- +< @-?= ?- + +, +- ?,- + - -- 122

* the :undamental tra@ - -- + ,=-@ -=< -= is its @remise that thereare in :act :undamentals 8: s8cial 8rganiDati8n. T- @-- +- ? @++ + <=- - +<;+ + + ,+ @-== + - @=?+ + +?= ?- , +- ?+ < =- ,??=- ?+@- < @-== + - @=?+. I <-- - =- @+@++ , +- ,+- @=,= + - -+ + +?- -=- - +-. O =-8-= I ,-=-8- + - -F- +- ?@-== + - @=?+ + @++ + - +<;+ + + + 8- - -F- +- ? @-== + - @=?++ ,??=- ?+@- <. I @-? -- =+<- + - ?- + < - ?- + +?= -+. A

- 8- =- the @art 8: humanit 8ught t8 @lace the =urden 8n its 8@@8nents t8 s@ell 8utthe s8cial the8r that leads them t8 identi: :undamentals =e:8re acce@ting the terms 8: the reuest :8r =lue@rints.




T-E SA ,UALTER$ATI)E CA$T S.L)E A!T-.RITARIA$ISMV 1/1

4!ST BECA!SE LA3 IS A!T-.RITARIA$ ".ES$T MEA$ 3E S-.!L"$T MA&E ET-ICAL '.LITICAL "ECISI.$S ,T-E

ALTER$ATI)E IS T-E .$L RES'.$SIBLE .'TI.$ %


T A?=- <- there is much in la; and legal thining that is c8nduci>e t8auth8ritarianism @articular arguments a=8ut la; :456 rein:8rce auth8ritariana@@licati8ns 8: la;% Auth8ritarian understandings 8: la; and legal decisi8nmaing rel 8nthe @aradigms 8: rule<:8ll8;ing? 8=edience t8 auth8rit narr8;l underst88d andsus@ici8n 8: human nature. "=- - @-- U- S- S@-- C+ B @-@ --= ?+@@- + ,- < ,+ +== ,8-= + @@+? + ?++= -?+< += +,- @-- + -Q- - 8-- + =-<= ?+- ?++= -< + +- ?+ + =-<=-. 516

N+ += ?+= =- <8- @ + ?=< 8+ + = - C++. The anti<auth8ritarian? humanitarian >isi8n 8: la; and the C8nstituti8n is a>aila=le? and the >isi8n8: =r8ader? m8re res@8nsi>e? and li=erating uses 8: la; sh8uld =e the c8ncern 8: all legalthiners% Su=stanti>e auth8ritarianism J8urishes ;hen ;e cease t8 tae @ers8nalres@8nsi=ilit :8r the suFering and 8@@ressi8n 8: 8thers in the name 8: 8=edience t8auth8rit? including legal auth8rit% It is incum=ent u@8n us t8 tae res@8nsi=ilit

$8thing in la; is s8 Ged that ;e d8nt ha>e res@8nsi=ilit :8r acting creati>el in maingthings ust% 3hen ;e g8 t8 slee@ at night? ;e must reJect that ;e ha>e d8ne s8mething@8litical that >er da that in a s8ciet 8: @8;er:ul and @8;erless? 8ur decisi8ns andn8n<decisi8ns ha>e sided ;ith 8ne 8r the 8ther. 517




T-E SA ,UALTER$ATI)E IS )A!E/!T.'IA$V 1/1

T-E ALTER$ATI)E IS $.T )A!E !T.'IA$ SL.A$EERI$,RE4ECT T-EIR ELEME$TAR SC-..L CARICAT!RE %

M G. & ELMA$ P+-+ + L S+ U8- 19(+:'C?= L-<= S- S@+> T<( Stanford Law Review B36 S. L. R-8. 293 & A8=,=- O=- + S,?,<I+ 8 L-FN-F

It is a=undantl a@@arent that the >ast @re@8nderance 8: mainstream American legal

academics ;ere t8ld re@eatedl = their m8ms and dads? OI: 8u d8nt ha>e anthingnice 8r c8nstructi>e t8 sa? sa n8thing at all%O In the ees 8: these academics? t8 >i8latethis ;h8les8me n8rm is an unuesti8na=le disgrace? and the generall tae :8r grantedthat ;e in CLS ;8uld =8; 8ur heads in dee@ shame i: Oall ;ed d8neO ;as t8 mae itim@8ssi=le t8 ;all8; ha@@il in the :amiliar 88De 8: traditi8nal legal disc8urse? hummingthe same 8ld tunes ;ith8ut em=arrassment% !nless ;e>e re@laced traditi8nal disc8urse;ith s8mething that gi>es us =etter s8luti8ns t8 the @r8=lems ;e :ace? ;e>e d8ne =ad%But ;hat ;e>e re@laced it ;ith? sa the critics? is m8numentall >ague !t8@iansl8ganeering ;ith n8 discerni=le @r8grammatic c8ntent.

O - + - ??+ -J- +- ?+,+ + +=- -?- +@-=-= 8<- 8+- +@ + @@+-== =- -88- B- =- + - <-== <- @- + +- - ++ @-? , -

V--- C,+ I + ++ ?= <-== , <+- +-< =- > irst? ;ed8nt d8 ;hat 8u sa ;e d8 8r at least ;e d8nt d8 it all the time ;e are 8:ten uitec8nstructi>e and c8ncreteK sec8nd? t8 the etent that ;e suFer :r8m the @r8=lems 8uascri=e t8 us? 8u d8 t88 alth8ugh 8u d8nt trash arguments? 8u are generall uite>ague and !t8@ianK and third? e>en i: ;e d8 s8mething 8u d8nt? its a g88d thing that;e d8? :8r reas8ns 8u d8nt e>en =egin t8 c8nsider trashing is g88d.




T-E SA ,U-A)E T. "EE$" A '.LIC .'TI.$V 1/1

T-EIR C.$CE'TI.$ . '.LIC RELE)A$CE IS 3R.$ ,T-E ALTER$ATI)E 'RESE$TS A C.$STR!CTI)E '.LITICAL STE' T-AT IS 'REERABLE T. T-E 'LA$ %

M G. & ELMA$ P+-+ + L S+ U8- 19(+:'C?= L-<= S- S@+> T<( Stanford Law Review B36 S. L. R-8. 293 & A8=,=- O=- + S,?,<I+ 8 L-FN-F

:303 At +- times +< ;e a=and8n legal? state<:8cused re:8rm ;ith8ut a=and8ning;hat ;e thin 8: as @8litics% In this r8le? ;e naturall ha>e little ad>ice t8 gi>e udges 8rlegislat8rs 8r administrat8rs regarding the @8lic uesti8ns that might c8ncei>a=lc8n:r8nt them% .ne ma ;ell =elie>e? :8r instance? that the ;8rld ;8uld =e a =etter @lacei: The B8ss did n8t e@ect The Secretar t8 mae c8Fee? ;ith8ut =elie>ing either thatan8ne eercising @u=lic auth8rit 8ught t8 sancti8n the mis=eha>i8r 8r that it ;illine8ra=l disa@@ear thr8ugh e@licit @u=lic @r8grams lie n8nseist dacare centers 8rre<educati8n cam@s :8r the recalcitrant% T8 c8unsel c8>ert resistance B =- - + ? <-

8ccasi8nal e@ressi8ns 8: terr8r<@r8>8ing rage B- + + ?+-- 8rc8ntained acts 8: c8unter>i8lence B , -- + -- + - + < - += is meant t8 =eneither O@8lic ad>iceO n8r a O@r8gramO that ;e need t8 detail% Still? these are @er:ectlc8ncrete and I ,-=-8- c8nstructi>e @8litical ste@s t8 tae. 30




T-E SA ,UALTER$ATI)E LI$&S T. T-E & RITI& V 1/1

T-E ALTER$ATI)E ".ES $.T ESC-E3 ALL S.L!TI.$S,).TE $EATI)E T. RE4ECT T-E I$STR!ME$TALISM . T-E

AIRMATI)E%

G+ BI$"ER P+-+ + L - S- U8- + N- $+ *=+ 19((:'*-+ C?( U8- + C?<+ L R-8- B55 U. C. L. R-8. !!! S- A8=,=- O=- + S,?,< I+8 L-FN-F

*-+- ?+<=< +-=8- + +8< ,-+ ?? -- +- Q= -+ - ?-. I ??= =-<= ?+=@+@+- ?+ - -< -= ?=- +-< :915 ?+ 8-J - ==- ,? + -

8- -= - ,+ , @+@+< -= ?+ M Q -@+- + ?+ criticallegal sch8lars criticiDe instrumental culture and see its diss8luti8nK that is hardl thesame thing as :8res;earing instrumental acti>it. S-?+ their a@@r8ach isn8ninstrumentalist in the sense that the d8 n8t as@ire t8 im@lement a ut8@ian s8ciet@lanned in ad>ance% Instead? the ha>e a >isi8n 8: ;hat it ;8uld tae t8 im@r8>e theca@acit 8: s8me @e8@le t8 deGne themsel>es s8ciall and act @8liticall in the near:uture% There @artl m8ti>ated = the sense that these changes ;8uld im@r8>e@r8s@ects :8r a m8re ust s8ciet at s8me indeGnite @8int in the :utureK =ut? there als8m8ti>ated = a c8mmitment t8 the c8ntem@8rar >alues 8: c8mmunit and @artici@at8rdem8crac :8r indi>iduals? irres@ecti>e 8: their l8ng term eFects 8n the structure 8: s8ciet% 3hat Critical Legal Studies rightl de@l8res a=8ut 8ur culture is n8t 8ur

;illingness t8 @ursue g8als =ut 8ur ina=ilit t8 =e ins@ired = ideals .

C-= - I +- @+=?= @?@+ @-+= <+ <+= << ?+ I 8- ??= =-<= ?+= + ?-==. T I ?+?-- =- < +< + - += ? +- + < -= ?=-

-@-< - @=- + @= + ?+==-?8- -=?+8-. Instrumentalism is the culture ;e li>e in andthat li>es in and thr8ugh usK =ut ;e are? ne>ertheless? ca@a=le 8: :ashi8ning and li>ing adiFerent culture% T8 a=h8r the culture ;e act in is n8t t8 a=ure all acti8n% 3e can criticiDeinstrumentalism and ne>ertheless m8>e =e8nd criticism.




T-E SA ,UALTER$ATI)E LEA"S T. A$ARC- /A$T-I$ .ESV 1/1

T-E ALTER$ATI)E IS $.T UA$T-I$ .ESV,T-E 'R.'ER N!ESTI.$ IS $.T U-.3 CA$ 3E BE CERTAI$ 3E ARE

RI-TV B!T U-.3 S-.!L" 3E LI)E V%


The dem8nstrati8n that legal the8r is inc8herent is 8:ten th8ugh t8 lea>e us ;ith a >8id .H+ + - Q<- + + + I ,-=-8- -+ - , + - + - += =-<=

-+ 8- ?+- + -F@-?. The ans;er is n8t t8 di>ide the ;8rld int8 the realms 8: 8=ecti>eand su=ecti>e? rati8nal and irrati8nal. A H M--+ <- ;e sh8uld reect the ideathat PeQither @hil8s8@h is the Truth ;ith a ca@ital T 8r it is n8thing B+ JS+@J. 171

3e are n8t destined t8 li>e in a ;8rld in ;hich ;e must ch88se =et;een =elie>ing ins8me ultimate @ermanent :8undati8n :8r la; and m8ralit B+= 8r =elie>ing that all>ie;s are as g88d as all 8thers and it d8es n8t matter ;hat ;e =elie>e 8r d8 B=. 172

3e need t8 get :60 8>er the :eeling that a >ie; is either 8ne that all @ers8ns sh8uldacce@t =ecause it is gr8unded in realit 8r it is Oust 8ur 8@ini8n%O The @r8@er uesti8n isn8t Oh8; can ;e =e certain that ;e are rightO =ut Oh8; sh8uld ;e li>eO 173

I)E !' T-E A$TAS T-AT T-E LEAL SSTEM -AS A RATI.$AL BASIS ,).TE $EATI)E T. TA&E RES'.$SIBILIT .R .!R "ECISI.$S %


3hen ;e gi>e u@ the idea that the legal sstem has a :8undati8n? a Orati8nal =asis?O ;eare n8t le:t ;ith n8thing% 3e are le:t ;ith 8ursel>es? and ;e are n8t n8thing. A G-= <

N+-> The alternati>e t8 :8undati8ns is n8t cha8s =ut the 8int rec8nstructi8n 8: s8cialli:e % % % the uest 8: @artici@at8r dem8crac . 1!7 3e imagine a =etter li:e in the c8ntet8: li>ing ;ith 8thers and ;e ;8r t8 =ring it a=8ut% 3hether s8me imagined @ractice ;ill=e =etter 8r ;8rse than current @ractice is a uesti8n 8: m8ral udgment% It is n8t amatter 8: Gnding a :8undati8n 8n ;hich t8 stand? 8r 8: Gnding the truth% It is a matter 8: c8n>icti8n% 3e cann8t ans;er 8ur uesti8n 8: h8; t8 li>e t8gether = a@@ling a

n8nc8ntr8>ersial rati8nal meth8d% 3e ;ill ha>e t8 tae res@8nsi=ilit :8r maing u@ 8urminds.

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