American Constitutional Democracy

In this seminar we will examine the principles and practices of the American political regime. Our goal is to grasp the evolving relationship between major public controversies in American politics, and the theoretical writings on liberty and equity that have influenced America’s political development. Topics and texts will include the founding debates and documents, Tocqueville’s interpretation of American democracy, Mill’s defense of liberty, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and a range of landmark Supreme Court cases that confront the enduring tension between majority rule and the protection of minority rights. 3 hrs. sem.