Jacobin Radio Dig: Settler Empire w/ Aziz Rana
Apr 12, 2025
Join Aziz Rana, a Professor of Law at Boston College, as he delves into the making of the American settler empire and the complex legacy of the U.S. Constitution. He challenges mainstream narratives, showcasing the roles of abolitionists and labor movements in shaping American identity. Rana analyzes pivotal moments like the Dred Scott case and the ideological rifts among early elites, revealing how economic and political interests intertwine with constitutional development. Expect a thought-provoking journey through history's complexities and contradictions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
U.S. Constitution as Creed
- The U.S. Constitution is both a legal framework and a sacred symbol of American identity.
- In the 20th century, it fused racial liberalism, economic liberty, and restrained government into a unique creedal nationalism.
Anti-Democratic Representation
- The U.S. Constitution is unusual in relying on state-based representation, not one person, one vote.
- This causes disproportionate Senate power and fuels undemocratic practices like gerrymandering.
Founding Constitution Suppresses Insurgency
- The Constitution was created as a compromise to suppress uprisings like Shays' Rebellion.
- It favors centralized power but restricts majority rule to protect elite interests in a settler society.
