Leadership in the Context of a Constitutional Government: Cases and Commentary for the Federal Manager and Students of Public Administration is designed to help current and future leaders understand the rights, limits, and authorities that may impact government decision-making under the Constitution. The text guides readers through complex legal doctrines, offering a thorough yet understandable analysis of key rights, obligations, and their implications for leadership in federal and other public administration settings. It integrates important and recent constitutional cases paired with questions to stimulate discussion. Each chapter includes a section exploring effective leadership within the context of its specific constitutional topic. The text examines: - A brief history of the U.S. Constitution; - A foundational overview of constitutional doctrines such as separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism; - The constitutional limits imposed on congressional, executive, and judicial authority; - The Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment, including procedural and substantive due process, free speech, the protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, the right against self-incrimination, equal protection of the laws, and other rights; - Whistleblower rights protected under federal law; - Absolute and qualified immunity of the president and government employees; - Major changes in administrative law and the authority of federal agencies to regulate; - Managing misconduct and poor performance in the federal workplace consistent with the law and the Constitution; - Practical insights into discrimination law in the federal government; - And more. Leadership in the Context of a Constitutional Government is an essential resource for anyone involved in public administration, constitutional law, and federal employment law.
