Understanding Missouri's Constitutional Government
Publication Year: 2010
Published by: University of Missouri Press
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Title Page, Copyright, Dedication
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Introduction: The Federalist Environment
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Understanding state and local governments means it is necessary to understand the relationships of these governments to the overall environment of American government. That means having some basic insight into the foundation of that government—its federal nature...
1. The Missouri State Constitution
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The constitution of Missouri, like all state constitutions, is grounded in the liberal ideals of the Enlightenment writings of Locke, Hume, Rousseau, and others. These ideals were cemented into the American environment in the earliest state constitutions and then into the U.S. Constitution of...
2. The Bill of Rights and Distribution of Powers
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When we refer to the philosophical elements of the constitution in Figure 1.1, what we mean is that there are statements of principle and ideals placed in the Missouri Constitution that are virtually absent from the U.S. version. The first of these statements reflects the fact that Missouri, as are...
3. The Legislature
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This is the first of three chapters exploring the branches of government as they are defined and operate in Missouri. The method will consist of an introductory essay at the beginning of each chapter on the branch being discussed. This introduction will give an overview of the structure and operation of the chapter’s branch of government. Following that, the text...
4. The Executive Department
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State executive departments differ significantly from the federal executive in basic ways. First, all states directly elect more than one executive, and, second, the constitutions of states have the tendency to specifically outline the structure of the executive. Most states separately elect by statewide ballot four to eight executives. These executives have separate constitutional...
5. The Judiciary
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In this chapter we are interested in describing the structure and functioning of the Missouri judicial system: Article V of the constitution. Because most laws, civil and criminal, are state laws, it follows that the greater load of the American judicial system falls upon the state court systems. The fundamentals of the American approach to justice apply to the state courts...
6. Miscellaneous Articles: Articles VI–XIII
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Articles VI–XIII of the Missouri Constitution deal with a great variety of issues, topics as diverse as providing a framework for local governmental units such as counties and cities to the penalty for nepotism. Other subjects considered are taxation, education, railroads, corporations, banks, suffrage and elections, public officers, the manner in which amendments...
Conclusion: An Evolving Document
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The Missouri Constitution has come a long way since its first manifestation in 1820. Then the only elected officials at the state level were the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the General Assembly. Few limits were placed on the legislature except to maintain the institution of slavery. Ironically, the post–Civil War constitution of 1865 could be characterized...
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About the Authors, Back Cover
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Page Count: 175
Illustrations: 5 tables
Publication Year: 2010