Defective and Corrupt Legislation: The Cause and the Remedy
A sharp, accessible look at how laws get made and where the system goes wrong. This classic essay explains why rushed bills and private interests can shape public policy, and how reform ideas from the English system might fix the process in the United States.
This edition presents Simon Sterne’s analysis of legislative practice, from how committees are formed to the role of lobbyists, and why a more rigorous, accountable procedure could protect the general body of the law. Readers gain a clear view of the problem, the stakes, and proposed, practical remedies.
- How laws come to life in a typical session, and who really writes them.
- Why the lobby and private interests can distort public policy—and what reform could curb it.
- Comparisons to parliamentary practices in England and how they inform potential fixes.
- Concrete steps proposed to separate public from private legislation and to strengthen procedure.
Ideal for readers of legal history, public policy, and anyone curious about how governance shapes everyday life. This edition suits students, practitioners, and informed citizens seeking a thoughtful critique and a roadmap for reform.