In this episode, political theorist William B. Allen, editor and translator of a new edition of Montesquieu’s The Spirit of the Laws, and Alison LaCroix, author of The Interbellum Constitution: Union, Commerce, and Slavery in the Age of Federalisms, join Jeffrey Rosen to explore the intellectual foundations—from Montesquieu and beyond—of constitutional interpretation from the founding to the Civil War. They also discuss historical practice and tradition in interpreting the Constitution throughout the interbellum period, and how this history applies to debates over constitutional interpretation today. This program was streamed live on June 17, 2024, as part of our America’s Town Hall series. 

Resources:

• Alison LaCroix, The Interbellum Constitution: Union, Commerce, and Slavery in the Age of Federalisms, 2024

• Montesquieu, ‘The Spirit of the Laws’: A Critical Edition, edited and translated by W. B. Allen, 2024

• The Commerce Clause

• Alison LaCroix, “James Madison v. Originalism,” Project Syndicate (Aug. 26, 2022)

• 10th Amendment

• Andrew Jackson, Proclamation Regarding Nullification, (December 10, 1832)

• Martin v. Hunter's Lessee (1816)

• Preamble to the Constitution

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You can find transcripts for each episode on the podcast pages in our Media Library.