Constitutional Cultures contains many shrewd insights, and at least one spectacular insight. Every lawyer interested in the Constitution should read it. But read it only for specific insights, taken one at a time. The theory by which Nagel tries to unify these insights is part of the problem, not a step towards a solution.

Citation
Douglas Laycock, Notes on the Role of Judicial Review, the Expansion of Federal Power, and the Structure of Constitutional Rights (reviewing Robert F. Nagel, Constitutional Cultures: The Mentality and Consequences of Judicial Review) 99 Yale Law Journal 1711–1748 (1990).
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