Episodes
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In this episode of Consider the Constitution, Professor Michael J Klarman delves into the intricate history behind the drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. He explores the compromises and debates between competing interest groups at the Constitutional Convention, the evolution of democracy since its ratification, and the unique challenges posed by the Constitution's rigidity. Klarman also sheds light on James Madison's indispensable role in the creation and defense of this foundational document.
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Delve into the heart of the impeachment process in the U.S. Constitution with Professor Michael J. Gerhardt, a distinguished professor of jurisprudence at the University of North Carolina Law School. Explore the historical origins, the framers' intentions, and the complexities of holding high-ranking officials accountable. With insights into recent events and the evolving role of political parties, this episode offers a thought-provoking examination of democracy's safeguard.
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Missing episodes?
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Historian and author David O. Stewart joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss the leadership styles of key figures like George Washington and James Madison, and how their personalities and approaches to politics shaped the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. Stewart emphasizes the importance of character in leadership, and how understanding the humanity of these historical figures can provide valuable insights.
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This episode considers the origins and development of policing and police-community relations in America. DeAnza A. Cook, Assistant Professor of Contemporary African American History and Black Leadership at The Ohio State University, joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss the changes in law enforcement post-Civil War, the impact of the civil rights movement on law enforcement, and current challenges in forging a better relationship between communities and law enforcement.
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In this episode, Julie C. Suk, Professor of Law, at Fordham University School of Law discusses the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in the United States. The discussion covers the history of the women's suffrage movement, the impact of the 19th Amendment, and the ongoing struggle for gender equality. Despite the 19th Amendment, many women, particularly African-American and indigenous women, still faced discrimination.
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In this episode, Dr. Danielle Charette, an expert on 18th-century political economy, discusses the economic instability faced by the newly independent states, the economic debates during the Constitutional Convention, and the economic theories influencing the founders. The podcast also explores the economic boom during the Gilded Age and the original intersection of capitalism and democracy in the United States.
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In this episode, Dr. John Ragosta, a historian at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello, discusses the political turmoil in the 1790s. The period saw hyper-partisanship, with Federalists like John Adams and Alexander Hamilton supporting a strong central government, while Democratic Republicans like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison favored stronger state government. The Alien and Sedition Acts, which gave the President the authority to deport any alien deemed dangerous and made it illegal to criticize the President or Congress, were a significant point of contention. The episode also discusses how Jefferson and Madison realized they had gone too far with their partisan battles and pulled back, leading to a more unified political climate. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of a free press, the concept of a loyal opposition, and the principle that the majority rules but the minority must accept this until the next election.
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Inside the debate between James Madison and Thomas Jefferson over the endurance of the U.S. Constitution. Jefferson believed that each generation should rewrite the Constitution, while Madison argued for a Constitution that endures over time to build up necessary reverence and respect. Host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Skidmore College Political Science Professor Dr. Beau Breslin to discuss the implications if Jefferson's argument had prevailed and what it would mean for political engagement today.
Professor Breslin is the author of A Constitution for the Living: Imagining How Five Generations of Americans Would Rewrite the Nation’s Fundamental Law. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2021. -
In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey discusses the right to vote, or suffrage, and how it functions as a mechanism for citizens to participate in the democratic process. Special guest, Dr. Pippa Holloway, a history professor at the University of Richmond, discusses the evolution of voting rights in the U.S., from the ambiguity surrounding citizenship and voting rights in the original Constitution to the clarification provided in the mid-19th century. The conversation also covers the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, the women's suffrage movement, and the challenges faced by different groups in gaining and exercising their voting rights.
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In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey and Professor Kendra Johnson discuss the Fourth Amendment, which focuses on aspects of privacy. The interpretation of the Fourth Amendment has evolved with technology, with cases involving wiretapping and cell phone searches setting precedents. Professor Johnson discusses the historical context of the Fourth Amendment, its impact on everyday life, and its potential future implications, particularly concerning advancing technology and privacy concerns.
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In this episode of the Consider the Constitution podcast, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey interviews Tim Longo, Sr., a veteran law enforcement officer and current Associate Vice President for Safety and Security and Chief of Police at the University of Virginia. They discuss the role of law enforcement in upholding the Constitution, the importance of understanding the First Amendment, and the concept of qualified immunity. Longo emphasizes the need for better training for officers on the First Amendment and the importance of understanding the "why" behind their actions. He also discusses the balance between protecting individual rights and ensuring community safety.
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In this episode of Consider The Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Suzanne Moore and Benjamin Eckert, Park Rangers of Interpretation at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, to discuss the drafting and ratification of the Bill of Rights. Congress Hall in Philadelphia was the site of the ratification of the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791.
During Congress Hall's duration as the Capitol of the United States, the country admitted three new states, Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee; ratified the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution; and oversaw the presidential inaugurations of both George Washington (his second) and John Adams. -
In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Montpelier Senior Research Historian Hilarie M. Hicks for a conversation about the relationship between James Madison and the Marquis de Lafayette, a Frenchman who became an icon of the American Revolution. The two men first met in 1784 and developed a deep friendship that was both politically advantageous and intellectually stimulating. They exchanged over 65 letters and their political philosophies are discussed in this episode. The podcast also touches on Madison's views on slavery and freedom of religion, and how these views influenced his drafting of the US Constitution. Lafayette's visit to the United States in 1824 and 1825, and his conversations with Madison during these visits, are also discussed.
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In the episode of "Consider the Constitution," host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lacky interviews constitutional law expert Prof. F. Michael Higginbotham. They discuss the role of the Supreme Court in American life, past and present. Higginbotham explains the court's function in interpreting laws and determining their consistency with the Constitution. They also discuss key Supreme Court cases, including Marbury vs. Madison, which established judicial review, and Plessy vs. Ferguson, which upheld racial segregation. Higginbotham highlights the importance of the Brown vs. Board of Education case in ending segregation in education.
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In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Patrick Campbell, a retired US Marine Corps officer, attorney, veteran high school government teacher, and assistant director of the Center for the Constitution. Campbell discusses the Center for the Constitution's work engaging diverse audiences with the concept of government by the people. He also talks about the importance of compromise in a democratic society, the role of the media, and the impact of physical spaces like Montpelier on understanding the democratic process. Campbell emphasizes the need for ongoing dialogue and engagement in the democratic process, stating that our freedoms mean more than our disagreements.
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In this episode of the podcast "Consider the Constitution," host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey discusses Article III of the US Constitution, which established the judicial branch. She is joined by Dr. Lauren Bell, a political science professor and former fellow at the United States Supreme Court. They discuss the brevity of Article III compared to other articles, the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and the relationship between federal and state courts. They also delve into the significance of the Marbury v. Madison case, in which Chief Justice John Marshall established the power of judicial review. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the current state of the Supreme Court and the challenges it faces in maintaining public trust and legitimacy.
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Hear the best moments from all of our Constitution Month 2023 podcast episodes. Join Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey as we consider The Bill of Rights, the First Amendment, the original text of the Constitution, the balance between government authority and civil liberties, the value of a free press, and the need for citizens to be politically and civically informed.
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In this episode of Consider the Constitution, we're considering freedom of the press and the role of news media in our democracy. The Hon. Adam Belmar served as Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and Deputy Director of White House Communications for Production. He also held the role of Senior Producer at ABC News, running the Washington DC bureau of ABC's "Good Morning America" and the Sunday morning public affairs show "This Week With George Stephanopoulos."
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In this episode of Consider the Constitution, we’re taking a deep dive into the sections or articles of the Constitution - the document as it was signed on September 17, 1787. Our special guest is Dr. Jay Cost, the Gerald R. Ford nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he focuses on elections, politics, and public opinion. He has published several books about James Madison and the founding era, and his next book, Democracy or Republic: The People Under the Constitution, is due to be released by AEI Press later this year.
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Our special guest today on Consider the Constitution is Jade Ryerson, a scholar who is passionate about using public history to encourage civic engagement. Jade earned her master's degree in Heritage Studies and Public History from the University of Minnesota and currently serves as the historian with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the First Amendment "right of the people peaceably to assemble."
Opinions expressed are solely those of the guest and do not express the views or opinions of their employer. - Show more