FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Merissa Blum, 215-409-6645
[email protected]
LEADING SCHOLARS AND THOUGHT LEADERS RELEASE ESSAY SERIES ON WHAT JAMES MADISON WOULD THINK OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY TODAY
Philadelphia, PA (December 4, 2019) – Today, the National Constitution Center announced the release of a new essay series, entitled “A Madisonian Constitution for All,” examining the state of American constitutional democracy today through the lens of James Madison, considered the father of the Constitution. The essays examine what Madison and the other framers of the U.S. Constitution would think about our current presidency, Congress, courts, and media, and how we can resurrect Madisonian values of constitutionalism, public reason, and the rule of law in a polarized age.
“The National Constitution Center is thrilled to bring together a diverse group of America’s leading constitutional scholars and thought leaders to examine how to resurrect Madisonian values in a polarized age,” said Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center. “This new essay series is an illuminating attempt to channel James Madison on contemporary challenges to our constitutional democracy. Our scholars also propose constructive solutions, including judicial independence, civil dialogue, and, above all, civic education.”
In the introduction for the series, which can be found here, National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen and National Constitution Center Scholar-in-Residence Michael Gerhardt explore author insights on the Madisonian Constitution, the likely developments undermining its objectives, and possible solutions for its restoration. Authors and titles for each essay include:
- Sarah Binder, professor of political science at George Washington University, “Revisiting and Restoring Madison’s American Congress”
- Michael Stokes Paulsen, distinguished university chair and professor of law at the University of St. Thomas, “The Relevance and Irrelevance of James Madison to Faithful Constitutional Interpretation”
- Saikrishna Prakash, James Monroe Distinguished Professor of Law and Paul G. Mahoney Research Professor of Law at University of Virginia School of Law, “From a Fixed, Limited Presidency to a Living, Flexible, Boundless Presidency”
- Jack Rakove, William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies and professor of political science and (by courtesy) law at Stanford University, “James Madison and the Judicial Power”
- Colleen Sheehan, professor of political science at Villanova University, “Madison’s America: Deliberative Republicanism, Political Communication, & the Sovereignty of Public Opinion”
- Daniel Stid, director at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, “Recovering a Madisonian Congress”
- Greg Weiner, provost and vice president for academic affairs and associate professor of political science at Assumption College, “The Ultimate Justice of the People: Madison, Public Opinion and the Internet Age”
- Sean Wilentz, George Henry Davis 1886 Professor of American History at Princeton University, “The Constitution, the Presidency, and Partisan Democracy: Congress Revises the Electoral College, 1804”
The essay series is a key component of the National Constitution Center’s bipartisan national initiative, A Madisonian Constitution for All, which the Center launched in April 2017 with the support of the John Templeton Foundation. Each essay focuses on Madison’s vision of the branch in question, how his vision has been challenged over time, and how it can be resurrected today.
As part of the series launch, Madisonian Commission scholars and essay authors Sean Wilentz and Saikrishna Prakash joined president and CEO and We the People podcast host Jeffrey Rosen for a new podcast episode discussing their thoughts on the presidency today and current issues relating to presidential power—from immunity to impeachment—in light of Madisonian values. The episode is available on the Interactive Constitution here.
In conjunction with the Madisonian Commission, the National Constitution Center has partnered with The Atlantic on a new web platform titled “The Battle for the Constitution,” which convenes leading scholars and a range of thought leaders to explore the issues and controversies surrounding the Constitution from a constitutional rather than a political perspective. The Center has also convened the Commission and essay scholars for workshops and public panels, including most recently, a program with The Atlantic on what the founders would think of the state of democracy today. All related resources, including America’s Town Hall programs and We the People podcast episodes, are available on the Interactive Constitution via the Center’s Madisonian Commission resources page.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
