Commerce Clause Questions After Morrison: Some Observations on the New Formalism and the New Realism

Abstract

IN TRO D U CTIO N 57 1 I. REALISM AND FORMALISM IN PAST AND PRESENT COMMERCE CASES 574 A. The Historical Rise of the Realism/Formalism Dichotomy in Commerce Clause Jurisprudence 574 B. The Realist Approach Motivating Lopez and Morrison 576 C. Formal Commerce Rules in Morrison and Lopez 578 II. How PRECEDENT ON CHANNELS AND INSTRUMENTALITIES UNDERCUTS THE PRINCIPLES MOTIVATING MORRISON AND LOPEZ 584 A. The Broad Reach of the Power to Regulate Instrumentalities 584 B. The Breadth of the Power to Regulate Persons or Things in Interstate Commerce 590 C. An Invitation to Artful Legislating 594 III. WHAT'S THE POINT OF EVADABLE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW? 596 A. The Problem with a Realist Response 597 B. Why a Formalist Response Might Work Better 601 C O N CLU SIO N 604