Americans revere their Constitution but are disturbed by growing signs of political dysfunction. We have placed in the White House candidates who have not won a majority of the popular vote. In this time of war, fears of an imperial presidency persist. Gridlock prevents reform in arms control, immigration, and other vital areas. An economic crisis generates fears that the system may not be able to respond effectively. Can we solve the problems we face under the current Constitution or does the 21st Century call for a new Magna Carta? These questions are debated by a group of distinguished contributors that includes: Akhil Amar (Yale Law School), Mark Tushnet (Harvard Law School), Stephen Macedo (Princeton University), Larry J. Sabato (University of Virginia), and others. Among the topics debated here are: does the Constitution encourage gridlock?; judicial review and democracy; an imperial presidency; and race and the Constitution. Is the American Constitution Obsolete? is the most comprehensive one-volume debate on the pros and cons of our basic law and is ideal reading for courses that cover the Constitution.