Leviathan Unchained: Rethinking the Framers on Executive Power

John Ferejohn, Samuel Tilden Professor of Law, Emeritus, NYU School of Law The framers of the Constitution wanted a limited and small government. In conversation with Jean-Laurent Rosenthal, Rea A. and Lela G. Axline Professor of Business Economics, Ferejohn will consider three questions: Was the framers' focus on controlling the legislature, rather than the executive, a fundamental flaw? Why has the growth of the executive branch's power accelerated over the last three decades? And how much of this constitutional dynamic results from domestic forces (like race or income inequality) versus international imperatives (such as war or industrial politics)? There will be time for questions from the audience at the end of the session.