The Bill of Rights in America and Central East Europe

Article Abstract:

Advisors from the US have been assisting Eastern Europeans in forming their new constitutions. Although these constitutions reflect the differing cultures and histories of the Eastern European countries, the US advisors have at least been able to point out potential problems. While the effectiveness of bills of rights is questioned in the US, in Eastern Europe their usefulness is taken for granted. Enforcement of rights by an independent judiciary is a major contribution of the US Constitution that is recognized in Eastern Europe. Case law is as important as the Constitution in forming constitutional law.

Eastern Europe, Comparative analysis, Civil rights

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Limitations of the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Article Abstract:

The US Supreme Court in Presley v Etowah County Commission adopted an overly narrow interpretation of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which threatens to limit its effectiveness in combatting discriminatory voting practices. Under Section 5, jurisdictions which historically have denied blacks' voting rights are required to clear any changes in voting practices with the US Attorney General. The court held that a change in authority of elected officials was not covered under Section 5. This ruling opens the way for jurisdictions to devise sophisticated tactics for minority vote dilution.

Cases, Suffrage, Voting rights, Voting, Case Note

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