underpinnings

In other words, why choose to scrutinize a fistful of merits cases and their supposed legal underpinnings, i.e., what the court wants us to focus on, in service of its claims to immutable legitimacy, rather than to ask questions about the legitimacy of the entire enterprise itself?

“It’s also a move away from a focus on the intellectual underpinnings of the American project, which was an essential message for past presidents, regardless of party.”

It was part of our underpinnings, so to speak.

Stamp was known for his intense dedication to craft, particularly his ability to hone in on the psychological underpinnings of a given character.

The president’s authoritarian behavior and strongman threats against Obama are being amplified, and made more powerful and dangerous, by their racist underpinnings.