"Polemic for Democracy" Author Talk Wednesday

Polemic for Democracy argues that we are already in the midst of our constitutional crisis. The author will present at a book launch event this Wednesday, July 2nd, at Common Objects in Belltown.

Zane Gufstason is a policy researcher who, like many of us, is alarmed about the political and legal developments of the last decade and more. I’ve had a chance to preview portions of the book. I agree that our current constitutional order is not up to the task of the moment, and that radical change is needed.

Gufstason thinks we need a Constitutional Convention, and presents a series of proposals on what should change. These are meant to weaken the Presidency relative to the other branches, make the legislature more representative, and depoliticize the Judiciary—all worthy goals.

While a convention may seem far-fetched, we live in an era in which the far-fetched rapidly becomes reality and which reality needs a rethink. I’m not totally onboard with soe of the specifics, and it seems to me he misses a few key reforms- but again, I have only previewed the book.

The larger point, though, is that as Americans, we need to be reimagining constitutional governance based on the learning of the last 250 years.

I expect this presentation to be a great chance to stimulate exactly that kind of reimagining.

I’m currently planning on going and I hope you will consider joining!

Event Page