What is the relationship between democratic government and a capitalist economic system? That is the central issue discussed in these essays by leading spokesman for diverse points of view when they answer the question asked in the title of this volume.

Some of the authors argue that there is a deep contradiction between the promises of democratic equality in the Constitution and the material inequalities generated by American capitalism. Other authors reject that view and maintain that capitalism is not only compatible with but essential for democratic liberty.

This book is the second in a series in AEI's project "A Decade of Study of the Constitution."

Robert A. Goldwin is a resident scholar of constitutional studies at AEI. William Schambra is assistant director of constitutional studies at AEI.