Constitution Quote by Philip Hamburger
““Gary Lawson observes: “The modern administrative state is not merely unconstitutional; it is anti-constitutional. The Constitution was designed specifically to prevent the emergence of the kinds of institutions that characterize the modern administrative state.”2 These brief observations are very apt but are only laconic””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Constitution and the Administrative State, Philip Hamburger, 2008
The modern administrative state conflicts with constitutional limits, acting against the Constitution’s intent to prevent such institutions.
In simple terms: Administrative state opposes constitutional design.
Key Takeaway
Question constitutional limits.
Themes
law
government
constitution
politics
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
legal
political
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- legal education
- judicial review
Key Concepts
separation of powers
rule of law
bureaucracy
Questions to Reflect On
- How should courts address administrative overreach?
- Can reforms preserve constitutional intent?
A Different Perspective
Constitutional interpretation may vary.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
