Robert Nagel, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Colorado, Boulder, argues that political and judicial revolutions have usurped the power of the estates and thereby enervated local associational life. Although Kimberly Hendrickson, a public policy analyst, agrees with much of Nagel’s argument about the implosion of federalism, she lauds the emergence of a “moral federalism” through plebiscitary democracy on issues ranging from abortion to euthanasia to affirmative action to medical marijuana to homosexual marriage. Is federalism dead? If so, should we mourn or celebrate its demise? Is the rise of moral federalism a sign of life for American democracy or a threat to individual rights?
The Publius Society cordially invites you for refreshments and discussion of these issues at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, at the Alexander Hamilton Institute in the Village of Clinton. Rides to the AHI will be available at KJ circle at 7:15. Refreshments and dessert will be served. The event is open to the public. Please prepare for the discussion by reading the essays by Nagel and by Hendrickson before our gathering. For more information, see the Publius Blog http://hamiltonpublius.blogspot.com/
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