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The Constitutional Libertarian.The Bill of Rights is a list of things government may not do.

You read the Constitution as a limit on government at every level. You want courts to enforce those limits firmly, against states and Washington alike, and you are wary of power concentrated anywhere.

Take the compassSee how you’d rule

Where you stand. On all five axes.

Reading the Constitution

Leans original meaning

States and the nation

Leans states

The presidency

Leans checked executive

Liberty and order

Strongly individual liberty

The courts

Leans judicial engagement
Original meaningLiving documentNational governmentStatesThe MadisonianThe Originalist SentinelThe Federalist StewardThe Civil Liberties ChampionThe Living ConstitutionalistThe National BuilderThe Strong but Fair ExecutiveThe Guardian of OrderThe MajoritarianThe Pragmatic Centrist
The Constitutional Libertarian (filled) among the other 10. Hover a dot for its name.

The Constitutional Libertarian

“Liberty first, and courts to guard it.”

  • Liberty and orderStrongly individual liberty
  • The presidencyLeans checked executive
  • States and the nationLeans states

constilumen.com/play/compass

Your profile card. What you’d share.

Take the compass and your own card shows your scores on every axis. Copy the link to your result and anyone who opens it sees the same picture.

Where you’re strong

  • Defends unpopular speakers, gun owners and defendants alike
  • Skeptical of every branch, not just the other side’s

Where you’re tested

  • Strong judicial enforcement sits awkwardly with restraint
  • Little room for collective action in a crisis

Your docket. How you’d likely rule.

Six hypothetical cases, decided from where The Constitutional Libertarian stands on each one’s axis. Hypothetical on purpose: no real judge’s record is implied.

DocketThe Constitutional Libertarian
  1. No. 01State v. Federal MandateA governor refuses to carry out a new federal program inside the state.States and the nationSides with the state: Washington cannot commandeer it.
  2. No. 02In re AirstrikesThe President orders sustained airstrikes abroad without asking Congress.The presidencyRequires a vote of Congress.
  3. No. 03City v. Rally OrganizersA city bans a peaceful rally whose message most residents find hateful.Liberty and orderStrikes the ban: the rally goes ahead.
  4. No. 04Challengers v. Popular StatuteA law passed by a wide margin is challenged as unconstitutional.The courtsEnforces the Constitution and strikes the law.
  5. No. 05Petitioner v. Unnamed RightA court is asked to recognize a right the text never names.Reading the ConstitutionDeclines: it is not in the text or the nation’s tradition.
  6. No. 06People v. Roadside SearchPolice search a car without a warrant and find evidence of a crime.Liberty and orderExcludes the evidence: get a warrant.

The clauses you lean on. In the document itself.

The First Amendment

Congress shall make no law abridging speech, press, religion or assembly.

The Second Amendment

The right of the people to keep and bear arms.

The Fourth Amendment

Security against unreasonable searches.

Cases that test you. From the record.

The landmark cases that turned on your two strongest axes: liberty and order and the presidency.

Your rival: The Guardian of Order

To insure domestic Tranquility.

Read their side

Further reading. Official and nonpartisan.

The Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments, as ratified in 1791.

National Archives

Register to vote

Registration deadlines and how to register in every state and territory.

U.S. government

Constitution Annotated

The official, clause-by-clause analysis of how the Constitution has been interpreted.

Library of Congress

The Interactive Constitution

Each clause explained by scholars from different perspectives.

National Constitution Center

All civic resources, including how to register to vote and find your election office.

All 11 constitutionalists. Which are you?

The MadisonianAmbition must be made to counteract ambition.The Originalist SentinelThe words meant something, and they still do.The Federalist StewardFifty laboratories, not one blueprint.The Constitutional LibertarianThe Bill of Rights is a list of things government may not do.The Civil Liberties ChampionRights are most tested when they are least popular.The Living ConstitutionalistA charter meant to endure for ages to come.The National BuilderOne nation, able to act as one.The Strong but Fair ExecutiveEnergy in the executive, under the law.The Guardian of OrderTo insure domestic Tranquility.The MajoritarianLet the people decide.The Pragmatic CentristIt depends on the case.
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