Smith, J. Allen (1860–1924)
SMITH, J. ALLEN (1860–1924)
Lawyer, economist, and political scientist James Allen Smith was an influential spokesman for progressive constitutional thought. His most important book was The Spirit of American Government (1901), subtitled "A Study of the Constitution: Its Origins, Influence and Relation to Democracy." Smith contended that the Constitution represented a reactionary and undemocratic retreat from the revolutionary principles of the declaration of independence. He proposed to make the Constitution more democratic by eliminating checks and balances, curbing the supreme court, and introducing direct elections for the President and senate along with referendum, and recall.
Dennis J. Mahoney
(1986)
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Smith, J. Allen (1860–1924)