We the People The Meese Revolution
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Dec 20, 2024 Steven Calabresi, a law professor at Northwestern University, delves into the legacy of former Attorney General Edwin Meese and his pivotal role in shaping originalism. The conversation highlights how Meese transformed the Department of Justice into a center for originalist thought during the Reagan era. Calabresi discusses the ideological divides within originalism, the formation of the Federalist Society, and how these developments influenced Supreme Court nominations and judicial philosophy. His insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of constitutional interpretation.
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Meese's Impact on Originalism
- Edwin Meese's 1985 speech on originalism transformed legal theory.
- It inspired the Federalist Society and a generation of lawyers to embrace originalism, leading to an originalist Supreme Court majority by 2022.
Origins of Meese's Originalism
- Meese's originalism drew from limited sources, including Bork, Berger, and Segan.
- His 1985 speech critiquing the Supreme Court's rulings sparked a national debate on originalism.
Scalia's Influence on Meese
- Scalia called for a shift from original intent to original meaning.
- Meese accepted this "friendly amendment," changing his focus to textualism.