Never Gonna Change? An Examination of the 1901 Alabama Constitution

In stark contrast to the U.S. Constitution, which has become a more democratic document since 1865, Alabama’s 1901 Constitution was designed in response to the nation’s broader democratic aspirations. Though the Alabama Constitution was recompiled in 2022, its spirit continues. Never Gonna Change (PDF of book at the link) examines the legacy of the 1901 Constitution and its effects on public policy, people, political culture, and democracy.

Chapter topics include:

  • The factors that influence policy change in the Deep South and the likelihood of constitutional reform.
  • The perseverance of inadequate education funding as a structural feature.
  • The contemporary possibility of change through litigation.
  • The consequences of Alabama tax policy and how it is embedded in the 1901 Constitution.
  • The capacity for a more humane carceral system.
  • The role that the Constitution has played in undermining democracy in Alabama.

The capacity for reform cannot be achieved through litigation. Reform cannot be hoisted upon Alabama’s government by the federal courts or by congressional action.  It must be initiated and done by the people of Alabama.

Contributors include

  • N. Alexander Aguado – University of North Alabama
  • Brandon L. Blankenship – University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • J. Tim Collins – University of North Alabama
  • Susan Pace Hamill – University of Alabama School of Law
  • Brucie Porter – Auburn University
  • Rebecca Short – Clemson University

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Download individual chapters as PDFs below.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter. Download PDF

Aguado, N.A. (2024). Preface. In N.A. Aguado (Ed.), Never Gonna Change? An examination of the 1901 Alabama Constitution (pp. 7-9). North Alabama Digital Press @ Collier Library. Download PDF

Short, R., Aguado, N.A., & Collins, J.T. (2024). Policy change in the Deep South: An analysis of three states. In N.A. Aguado (Ed.), Never Gonna Change? An examination of the 1901 Alabama Constitution (pp. 13-32). North Alabama Digital Press @ Collier Library. Download PDF

Porter, B. (2024). The system works as intended: Alabama’s 1901 Constitution and financing public education. In N.A. Aguado (Ed.), Never Gonna Change? An examination of the 1901 Alabama Constitution (pp. 33-56).  North Alabama Digital Press @ Collier Library. Download PDF

Hamill, S.P. (2024). The Elusiveness of Tax and Constitutional Reform. In N.A. Aguado (Ed.), Never Gonna Change? An examination of the 1901 Alabama Constitution (pp. 57-92). North. Alabama Digital Press @ Collier Library. Download PDF

Blankenship, B.L. (2024). A new way forward for Alabama prisons.  In N.A. Aguado, (Ed.), Never Gonna Change? An examination of the 1901 Alabama Constitution (pp. 93-126). North Alabama Digital Press @ Collier Library. Download PDF

Aguado, N.A. (2024). Political Indifference and the Withering of Democracy in Alabama. In N.A. Aguado (Ed.), Never Gonna Change? An examination of the 1901 Alabama Constitution (pp. 127-148). North Alabama Digital Press @ Collier Library. Download PDF

Aguado, N.A. (2024). Epilogue. In N.A. Aguado (Ed.), Never Gonna Change? An examination of the 1901 Alabama Constitution (pp. 149-154). North Alabama Digital Press @ Collier Library. Download PDF

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Never Gonna Change? An Examination of the 1901 Alabama Constitution Copyright © 2024 by Noe Alexander Aguado is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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