Some Notes on the Core of J. Calhoun's Constitutional Theory

For different reasons, John Calhoun's thought has had a remarkable influence on constitutional studies. This article aims at highlighting and critically discussing two main reasons. The first part of the article analyses Calhoun's conception of the constitution as a compact among States, grounded on the distinction between sovereignty and government. The second part considers the so-called "States' rights" and aims at explaining the relationship among these rights, with a special attention to the right to secession.