strict constructionist
Original meaning adherent
A strict constructionist interprets legal documents—especially constitutions—according to their literal text and original meaning, resisting broader readings that extend beyond what's explicitly written.
The term appears most often in American debates over Supreme Court appointments and constitutional interpretation: He's a strict constructionist who won't legislate from the bench.
Compare with originalist, which emphasizes the framers' intent.
Interpreting law literally
- originalismInterpreting by founding-era meaning
- literal interpretationTaking words at face value
- letter of the lawExact statutory language
- narrow interpretationConfining meaning to text
judicial restraint · original intent · historical context · textual analysis · enumerated powers
Founding-era persuasive essays
- framersThose who construct frames
- MadisonWisconsin's governmental seat
- HamiltonFirst Treasury secretary
- ratificationFormal approval by authority
Constitutional Convention · founding fathers · Blackstone · separation of powers · checks and balances · enumerated powers · limited government · unalienable rights
- ThomasMasculine name meaning twin
- RehnquistFormer top jurist
- judicial philosophyApproach to interpreting law
- precedentPrior authoritative example
Alito · Gorsuch · judicial restraint · bench · judiciary · constitutional law · Supreme Court · appellate
textualism
Interpreting law literally
- originalismInterpreting by founding-era meaning
- literal interpretationTaking words at face value
- letter of the lawExact statutory language
narrow interpretation · judicial restraint · original intent · historical context · textual analysis · enumerated powers
Federalist Papers
Founding-era persuasive essays
- framersThose who construct frames
- MadisonWisconsin's governmental seat
- HamiltonFirst Treasury secretary
ratification · Constitutional Convention · founding fathers · Blackstone · separation of powers · checks and balances · enumerated powers · limited government · unalienable rights · Bill of Rights
Scalia
- ThomasMasculine name meaning twin
- RehnquistFormer top jurist
- judicial philosophyApproach to interpreting law
Alito · Gorsuch · precedent · judicial restraint · bench · judiciary · constitutional law · Supreme Court · appellate · jurisprudence
strict constructionistevolutionist
Proponent of species transformation
strict, strictly, strictness, stricter, strictest, stricture, construct, construction, constructions