Among many changes being considered for the Supreme Court are the Court’s role in the Constitution, the length of service of the justices, and the size of the Court. How could these and other reforms impact the three branches of government? And what are the Constitutional consequences of the January 6 insurrection, when one branch of government attacks another?
How do democracies erode? Is American democracy itself in peril? Amid the ongoing national debates surrounding how elections are decided and certified, access to voting rights, and hyper-partisanship within the government, leading constitutional scholars discuss the threats to the nation’s democratic order and the critical issues that will shape upcoming elections.
Before the Civil War, the Constitution was best understood as a compromise pact between states that allowed the Union to form and function. As president, Abraham Lincoln deliberately and recurrently challenged well-understood constitutional norms in an effort to preserve the Union. Legal scholar Noah Feldman explores how Lincoln’s break from precedent recast the Constitution as a sacred embodiment of the nation’s highest ideals.
PROGRAM CANCELLATION: This virtual program has been canceled. Due to Anne Milgram's recent nomination to serve as administrator for the Drug Enforcement Administration, she is no longer able to participate in this discussion."
Thank you very much for your support of the New-York Historical Society and its public programs.
On the heels of the 2020 Presidential Election, constitutional scholars examine the current relationship between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches and how the balance of powers impacts timely issues, including national security, foreign and domestic policy, and presidential power.
The separation of powers and the system of checks and balances are sacred to the foundation of the U.S. government. Why did the Founders establish the new nation based on these principles? Constitutional scholars discuss the origins of the American political system—including Montesquieu’s The Spirit of the Laws, published anonymously in 1748—and how the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches evolved throughout the presidencies, from George Washington to Donald J. Trump.
PROGRAM CANCELLATION:This program has been canceled to help support the city’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health of our visitors and staff. More details on our Visit page. New-York Historical Society will reach out to all ticket buyers to review refund and ticket-to-donation options.
Thank you very much for your support of the New-York Historical Society and its Public Programs.
PROGRAM CANCELLATION: This program has been canceled to help support the city’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health of our visitors and staff. More details on our Visit page. New-York Historical Society will reach out to all ticket buyers to review refund and ticket-to-donation options.
Thank you very much for your support of the New-York Historical Society and its public programs.
How have Presidential powers helped or harmed the balance of power in our country, and what has been their effect on our democracy? Are there certain presidents who have abused their presidential powers or used them more effectively? Join leading experts as they discuss the controversies surrounding this issue both historically and today.
In the wake of the 2018 midterm elections, Americans are increasingly aware of issues of voter suppression, corruption, gerrymandering, and a partisan imbalance of power in our government. What are the biggest threats to democracy today, and how will it survive? Constitutional law experts will discuss the future of the democratic system of government in America.