“A Republic, If You Can Keep It:” How the Constitution Protects Freedom

Upon exiting the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin was asked by a passerby whether the new constitution would provide a monarchy or a republic. “A republic,” he answered, and famously added, “if you can keep it.”  Given the distressing state of contemporary politics in America, Franklin’s cautionary caveat is of particularly great importance.  What kind of society is needed in order to maintain the constitutional republic that was bequeathed to us by Franklin and his fellow statesman?  And what makes it so worthy of preservation in the first place? This lecture will address how the United States Constitution was designed to offer the best chance for a free and flourishing society, and what must be done to preserve its blessings of liberty for generations to come.

Lecturer: Professor Deborah O’Malley