How the Constitution Can Bring Us Together (with Yuval Levin)
Jun 10, 2024
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Yuval Levin, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, discusses how the Constitution unified the U.S. at its founding and can still bring the country together. Topics include the balance between majority rule and minority rights, advantages of the electoral college, and the importance of understanding constitutional constraints in today's polarized political landscape.
The Constitution unifies a diverse society by emphasizing collective action over uniformity of thought.
Empowering majorities while protecting minority rights is a key feature of the American Constitution.
The Electoral College promotes national dialogue by engaging candidates with diverse regions.
Deep dives
The Purpose of the Constitution and National Unity
The podcast episode delves into how the Constitution unifies a diverse society by emphasizing that unity does not mean thinking alike but acting together. It highlights the challenge of acting collectively while tolerating differing opinions and how the Constitution was crafted to address this need.
Restraints on Majorities and the Constitution
It discusses the balancing act of empowering majorities while restraining them to protect minority rights. The American Constitution intentionally constrains majorities through a bicameral legislature and a system of checks and balances, aiming to prevent narrow majorities from exerting disproportionate power.
The Electoral College and Competition
The podcast explores how the Electoral College promotes nationwide competition in elections, forcing candidates to engage with states across the political spectrum. It highlights how a state-based electoral system fosters dialogue in diverse regions, emphasizing the unique dynamic it creates in American politics.
Character of Citizens and Republicanism
It touches on how political institutions and the Constitution shape the character of citizens, instilling values of independence, competition, and accountability. The episode underscores the impact of the American constitutional tradition on the nation's cultural identity and democratic ethos.
Concerns About Norm Erosion and Social Peace
It expresses apprehension regarding the erosion of norms and the potential impact on social cohesion. The discussion emphasizes the importance of upholding traditional norms and understanding the underlying principles of the American system to preserve stability and social harmony.
Can a document unify a nation? Yuval Levin of the American Enterprise Institute and author of American Covenant argues that the Constitution unified the United States at the founding of the country and that understanding the Constitution can help bring the country together today. Listen as Levin speaks with EconTalk's Russ Roberts about how the Constitution not only took into account fractious politics, but also ensured that polarization would lead to a stronger democracy. Topics include the inherent limitations placed on the majority and how that affects policy formation, the vital if misunderstood advantages of the electoral college, and why, despite all the warnings to the contrary, this is far from a dangerous moment in American political history.
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