Just out!
David et Phoenix (Thinklings Books): Rob’s translation into Latin of Edmund Ormondroyd’s beloved 1957 book, David and the Phoenix (for use in classical schools).
The Constitution, Invasion, Immigration, and the War Powers of States 13 Brit. J. Am. L. Stud. 1 (2024) with Andrew T. Hyman)
The Montana Supreme Court: An Institution in Need of Reform (Frontier Inst., 2024)
Publication Pending
Entries on the Guarantee Clause, Recess Appointments Clause, Postal Clause and amendment procedure for the Heritage Guide to the Constitution (3rd ed.)
Published Material
* On the Constitution in General:
The False Doctrine of Inherent Sovereign Authority, 24 Federalist Soc’y Rev. 346 (2023)
Richard Hooker and the Necessary and Proper Clause, The Originalism Blog, April 10, 2024
On “Federal Functions,” the 2020 Presidential Election, the Necessary and Proper Clause, and Our Constitutional Law Courses, The Originalism Blog, Feb. 18, 2022
Federal Functions: Execution of Powers the Constitution Grants to Persons and Entities Outside the Federal Government, 23 U. Penn. J. Const. Law 193 (2021)
When Can an Originalist Scholar Begin with the Constitution’s Text?, The Originalism Blog, Mar. 1, 2021
How to Correct the Context of the “Non-delegation” Debate, The Originalism Blog, Jan. 1, 2020
The Original Constitution: What It Actually Said and Meant (3rd ed., 2014) (book)
The Fiduciary Foundations of Federal Equal Protection (with Gary Lawson & Guy Seidman), 94 B.U. L. Rev. 415 ( 2014)
A New Look at Chief Justice John Marshall, 29 Drumbeat 27 (2011)
The Founders’ Hermeneutic: The Real Original Understanding of Original Intent, 68 Ohio St. L.J. 1239 (2007)
The Constitution and the Public Trust, 52 Buff. L. Rev. 1077 (2004)
A Reminder: The Constitutional Values of Sympathy and Independence, 91 Ky. L. J. 353 (2003)
The Constitutional Contributions of John Dickinson, 108 Penn. State L. Rev. 415 (2003)
* On Constitutional Research:
A Bibliography for Researching Original Understanding (essay)
Underselling Originalism, The Originalism Blog, Mar. 16, 2020
Did the Constitution Grant the Federal Government Eminent Domain Power? Using Eighteenth Century Law to Answer Constitutional Questions, 19 Fed. Soc’y. Rev. 88 (2018)
Why Constitutional Lawyers Need to Know Latin, 19 Fed. Soc’y. Rev. 74 (2018)
* On Amending the Constitution:
Legal Treatise: The Law of Article V: State Initiation of Constitutional Amendments (2d ed., Apis Books 2020)
Is the Constitution’s Convention for Proposing Amendments a ‘Mystery’? Overlooked Evidence in the Narrative of Uncertainty, 104 Marquette L. Rev. 1 (2020)
Counting to Two Thirds: How Close Are We to A Convention for Proposing Amendments to the Constitution? 19 Fed. Soc’y. Rev. 50 (2018)
A Proposed Balanced Budget Amendment (Heartland Institute, 2017)
Founding-Era Conventions and the Meaning of the Constitution’s “Convention for Proposing Amendments,” 65 Fla. L. Rev. 615 (2013)
The Article V Convention Process and the Restoration of Federalism, 36 Harvard J. L. & Pub. Pol. 955 (2013)
Proposing Constitutional Amendments By a Convention of the States: Article V Handbook for State Lawmakers (3d ed., 2016)
James Madison and the Constitution’s “Convention for Proposing Amendments,” in Union and States’ Rights: A History and Interpretation of Interposition, Nullification, and Secession 150 Years After Sumter (Neil H. Cogan ed., 2013) (book)
Proposing Constitutional Amendments by Convention: Rules Governing the Process, 78 Tenn. L. Rev. 693 ( 2011)
The State-Application-and-Convention Method of Amending the Constitution: The Founding-Era Vision, 28 Cooley L. Rev. 9 (2011)
Amending the Constitution by Convention: Practical Guidance for Citizens and Policymakers (Independence Institute, 2012) (superseding paper published by the Goldwater Institute)
Amending The Constitution by Convention: Lessons for Today from the Constitution’s First Century (Independence Institute, 2011) (superseding paper published by the Goldwater Institute)
Amending the Constitution by Convention: A More Complete View of the Founders’ Plan (Independence Institute, 2010) (superseding paper published by the Goldwater Institute)
* On Federalism:
The Meaning of “Regulate Commerce” to the Constitution’s Ratifiers, 23 Fed. Soc’y Rev. 307 (2022)
More News on the Powers Reserved Exclusively to the States, 20 Fed. Soc’y. Rev. 92 (2019)
The Founders Interpret the Constitution: The Division of Federal and State Powers, 19 Fed. Soc’y. Rev. 60 (2018)
The States’ Duty to Defend Against Federal Excess: James Madison and the Methods of “Interposition:” (Heartland Institute, 2016)
James Madison and the Constitution’s “Convention for Proposing Amendments,” in Union and States’ Rights: A History and Interpretation of Interposition, Nullification, and Secession 150 Years After Sumter (Neil H. Cogan ed., 2013) (book)
The Enumerated Powers of States, 3 Nev. L. J. 469 (2003)
* On Congressional Power – Origination Clause:
The Founders’ Origination Clause (and Implications for the Affordable Care Act), 38 Harvard J. L. & Pub. Pol. 629 (2015)
* On Congressional Power – Commerce and Necessary & Proper Clauses:
The Meaning of “Regulate Commerce” to the Constitution’s Ratifiers, 23 Fed. Soc’y Rev. 307 (2022)
The Origins of the Necessary and Proper Clause (with Lawson, Miller & Seidman) (Cambridge University Press 2010) (book)
“Health Laws of Every Description”: John Marshall’s Ruling on a Federal Health Care Law, 12 Engage, No. 1 (June, 2011) (with Dave Kopel).
Commerce in the Commerce Clause: A Response to Jack Balkin, 109 Mich. L. Rev. First Impressions 55 (2010) (with Dave Kopel)
Health Insurance is not “Commerce,” National Law Journal (May 28, 2011) (with Dave Kopel)
Tempering the Commerce Power, 68 Mont. L. Rev. 95 (2007)
The Legal Meaning of “Commerce” In the Commerce Clause, 80 St. John’s L. Rev. 789 (2006)
The Agency Law Origins of the Necessary and Proper Clause, 55 Case W. Res. L. Rev. 243 (2004)
* On Congressional Power – Taxing and Spending:
What the Constitution Means by “Duties, Imposts, and Excises”—and Taxes (Direct or Otherwise), 66 Case Western Res. L. Rev. 297 (2015)
Judicial Review of Special Interest Spending: The General Welfare Clause and the Fiduciary Law of the Founders, 11 Tex. Rev. L. & Pol. 239 (2007)
The General Welfare Clause and the Public Trust: An Essay in Original Understanding, 52 U. Kan. L. Rev. 1 (2003)
Clearing Up the Confusion about the Constitution’s Term “Direct Taxes,” Volokh.com (2024)
Wealth Taxes and the Direct-Indirect Tax Controversy, The Originalism Blog (2024)
Moore v United States and the Uncertainty About “Direct” and “Indirect” Taxes, Federalist Society Blog (2024)
Direct Taxes and the Founders’ Originalism, Law & Liberty, Aug. 29, 2024
The Constitutional Line on Direct Taxes, Law & Liberty, Aug. 2, 2024
Busting the Myths about Article V Conventions, Law & Liberty, Oct. 23, 2024
* On Congressional Power – Campaign Finance:
The Original Scope of the Congressional Power to Regulate Elections, 13 U. Pa. J. Const. L. 1 (2010)
* On Congressional Power – Money and Emoluments:
Paper Money and the Original Understanding of the Coinage Clause, 31 Harvard J.L. & Pub. Policy 1017 (2008)
The Original Meaning of “Emoluments” in the Constitution”, 52 Georgia Law Review 1 (2017)
* On Congressional Power – Indian Affairs:
The Original Understanding of the Indian Commerce Clause: An Update, 23 Fed. Soc’y. Rev. 209 (2022)
The Original Understanding of the Indian Commerce Clause, 85 Denver U. L. Rev. 201 (2007)
* On Congressional Power – Federal Land:
Federal Land Retention and the Constitution’s Property Clause: The Original Understanding, 76 U. Colo. L. Rev. 327 (2005)
* On Congressional Power — Post Offices and Roads:
Founding-Era Socialism: The Original Meaning of the Constitution’s Postal Clause, 7 Brit. J. Am. Legal Studies 1 (2018)
* On Congressional Power — Eminent Domain
Did the Constitution Grant the Federal Government Eminent Domain Power? Using Eighteenth Century Law to Answer Constitutional Questions, 19 Fed. Soc’y. Rev. 88 (2018)
* On Congressional Power — Immigration
The Constitution’s Define and Punish Clause: The Source of the Power to Regulate Immigration, 11 Brit. J. Am. Leg. Studies 209 (2022)
* More on Congressional Power: Chapters 5 & 6, The Original Constitution: What It Actually Said and Meant (3rd ed., 2014)
* On the Executive Power – Treaties and Appointments:
“Advice” in the Constitution’s Advice and Consent Clause: New Evidence From Contemporaneous Sources, 19 Fed. Soc’y. Rev. 60 (2018)
The Origins and Meaning of “Vacancies that May Happen During the Recess” in the Constitution’s Recess Appointments Clause, 37 Harvard J. of L. & Pub. Pol’y 199 (2014)
* On the Executive Power, Emoluments, and Impeachment:
A Reply to David Weisberg on “high … Misdemeanors”, The Originalism Blog, Mar. 3, 2021
New Evidence on the Constitution’s Impeachment Standard: “high . . . Misdemeanors” Means Serious Crimes, 21 Fed. Soc’y. Rev. 24 (2020)
Impeachment: The Constitution’s Fiduciary Meaning of “High . . . Misdemeanors”, 19 Fed. Soc’y. Rev. 68 (2018) (superseded by 2020 article, above)
The Original Meaning of “Emoluments” in the Constitution”, 52 Georgia Law Review 1 (2017)
The Original Meaning of the Constitution’s “Executive Vesting Clause” – Evidence from Eighteenth-Century Drafting Practice, 31 Whittier L. Rev. 1 (2009)
More in Chapters 7 & 11, The Original Constitution: What It Actually Said and Meant (3rd ed., 2014)
* On Presidential Elections:
The Electoral College in Context, Law & Liberty, Nov. 5, 2024
Elector Discretion: A Response to John Vlahoplus, The Originalism Blog, Apr. 4, 2020
Presidential Elector Discretion: The Originalist Evidence, The Originalism Blog, Jan. 3, 2018
* On Presidential Qualifications:
Claims that Senator Cruz is not “Natural Born” Need to be Taken Seriously, The Originalism Blog, Jan. 11, 2016
* On the Judicial Power:
Thes: Roots of American Judicial Federalism (Am. Assn. for Justice 2012)
* On The States & Republican Government:
The Original Meaning of the Privileges and Immunities Clause, 43 Ga. L. Rev. 1117 (2009)
The Guarantee Clause, in The Heritage Guide to the Constitution (2005)
Initiative and Referendum and the “Republican Form of Government,” in The Battle over Citizen Lawmaking (Carolina Ac. Press 2000)
The Enumerated Powers of States, 3 Nev. L. J. 469 (2003)
Statutory Retroactivity: The Founders’ View, 39 Idaho L. Rev. 489 (2003)
A Republic, Not a Democracy? Initiative, Referendum, and the Constitution’s Guarantee Clause, 80 Tex. L. Rev. 807 (2002)
More in Chapters 3 & 6, The Original Constitution: What It Actually Said and Meant (3rd ed., 2014)
* First Amendment:
Why Nineteenth Century Bans on “Sectarian” Aid Are Facially Unconstitutional: New Evidence on Plain Meaning, 19 Fed. Soc’y. Rev. (2018)
Does “The Freedom of the Press” Include a Right to Anonymity? The Original Understanding, 9 N.Y.U. J. of Law & Liberty 160 (2015)
Montana’s Supreme Court Relies on Erroneous History in Rejecting Citizens United, Center for Competitive Politics (2012)
The Original Meaning of the Establishment Clause, 14 Wm. & Mary Bill Rights J. 73 (2005)
More in Chapter 9, The Original Constitution: What It Actually Said and Meant (3rd ed., 2014)
* Fifth Amendment:
Statutory Retroactivity: The Founders’ View, 39 Idaho L. Rev. 489 (2003)
More in Chapter 9, The Original Constitution: What It Actually Said and Meant (3d ed. 2014)
* Ninth and Tenth Amendments:
The Enumerated Powers of States, 3 Nev. L. J. 469 (2003)
More in Chapter 10, The Original Constitution: What It Actually Said and Meant(3rd ed., 2014)
* State Constitutions:
Book: The Colorado Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (2017)
Constitutional Coup? The Case that Promulgated a New Constitution for Montana, 7 Brit. J. Am. Legal Stud. 319 (2018)
“No Armed Bodies of Men”—Montanans’ Forgotten Constitutional Right, 63 Mont. L. Rev. 1 (2002)
LEGAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS (OTHER THAN CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY)
The Montana Supreme Court v. The Rule of Law (Montana Policy Institute 2012)
“Magna Carta,” entry for the Encyclopedia of the Supreme Court of the United States (Macmillan Reference [Gale-Cengage] 2008).
Reclaiming the Centennial State’s Centennial Song: The Facts Behind “Where the Columbines Grow” (Independence Institute, 2015)
Corpus Juris Civilis—an Internet Compilation of Classical Roman Law Sources, (2002-03)
The Government as Fiduciary: Lessons from the Reign of the Emperor Trajan, 35 Richmond L. Rev. 191 (2001)
Pamphlet: Montana Estates in Land Statutes: History and Commentary (Univ. of Mont. 1991)
Running with the Land in Montana, 51 Mont. L. Rev. 17 (1990)
Comments on the Historiography of Condominium: The Myth of Roman Origin, 12 Okla. City L. Rev. 17 (1986) (digested and reprinted in 4 Common Ground (Sept., Nov. 1988))
PUBLIC POLICY PUBLICATIONS (other than constitutional)
State Fiscal Policy and Economic Growth in the Rocky Mountain West (Independence Institute, 1998)
Tax and Spending Limits for Montana? Criteria for Assessing Current Proposals (Independence Institute, 1994)
Peyote, “Multiculturalism” and the Caricature of the West, 52 Mont. L. Rev. 453 (1991)
REMEDIES PUBLICATIONS
Montana Remedies Law (course book, 1988)
Mending the Social Compact: Expectancy Damages for Common Property Defects, 66 Or. L. Rev. 109 (1987)
REAL PROPERTY PUBLICATIONS
Chapter: Lateral and Subjacent Support, in Powell on Real Property (Matthew Bender 2001)
Law school course book: Real Property (4th ed. 2001)
Chapter: Conveyances of Real Property Not By Deed, in Powell on Real Property (Matthew Bender 1999)
Chapter: Boundaries, in Powell on Real Property (Matthew Bender 1998)
Condominiums, Reform, and the Unit Ownership Act, 58 Mont. L. Rev. 495 (1997)
Legal treatise: Modern Law of Deeds to Real Property (Little, Brown 1992) (606 pp.) & 1993-97 supplements
Pamphlet: Montana Estates in Land Statutes: History and Commentary (Univ. of Mont. 1991)
Consent, Coercion, and Reasonableness in Private Law: The Special Case of the Property Owners Association, 51 Ohio St. L.J. 41 (1990)
Running with the Land in Montana, 51 Mont. L. Rev. 17 (1990)
Legal treatise: Law of Property Owners Associations (Little, Brown 1989) (749 pp.) & 1990-91 supplements
Mending the Social Compact: Expectancy Damages for Common Property Defects, 66 Or. L. Rev. 109 (1987)
Keeping Faith: Fiduciary Obligations in Property Owners Associations, 11 Vt. L. Rev. 421 (1986)
Colorado “Buyer Brokerage:” Does It Still Exist After Velten v. Robertson?, 55 U. Colo. L. Rev. 83 (1983)
Trade paperback: How to Buy and Sell a Condominium (Simon & Schuster 1981)
Real Estate Law Columnist, Rocky Mountain News (1982-84)
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Literally hundreds of other op-eds, CLE materials, and short articles since 1967 on various subjects, including law, policy, and real property.