On the Limits of the Law: Ironic Legacy of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act - Softcover

Stephen Halpern has joined the growing number of scholars on the liberal-left of American politics who question the utility of pursuing social reform through the federal courts... this book represents a valuable contribution to the search for fresh ideas by the liberal-left on combating racial discrimination.

Stephen Halpern has written an important book about the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The thoughtful book explores important issues in a serious and careful manner... What Halpern so eloquently teaches us is that the progress we have made has come at considerable cost to the political fortunes of the liberal wing of the Democratic Party.

On the Limits of the Law is Stephen Halpern's compelling examination of the legal struggle to control the enforcement of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act -- the historic provision prohibiting racial discrimination in programs receiving federal financial assistance. Although the provision appeared to have immense power to fight racial inequality in education,Halpern argues, attacking the problem through legal rights and litigation distorted our understanding of educational inequality based on race and limited the remedies used to address it.

"Stephen Halpern has made a substantial and original contribution to the analysis of law and civil rights. Concentrating on original or primary sources and including very informative interviews, he offers a superb review of the historical and political context of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the United States Supreme Court's desegregation decisions. All who are interested in civil rights history and enforcement, the administrative process, and the role of courts in pursuing racial and social justice will want to read this book." -- Kenneth Tollett, Howard University