Constitution Day Event to be held Sept. 15

Join in the conversation for “Constitutions Old and New: A Conversation on Constitutional Change” on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 5 p.m. in Annenberg Auditorium in Carswell Hall.

The U.S. Constitution is among the oldest in the world and one that has become increasingly difficult to change, despite growing challenges to democracy and representation in the U.S. A movement for convening a constitutional convention has gained some momentum in recent years. Chile, on the other hand, has drafted a completely new constitution in response to social movements demanding deep political and societal change. The country’s Constitutional Convention completed a draft document that goes to an up/down vote in a national referendum on Sept. 4.

Katy Harriger, an expert on U.S. constitutional law and Peter Siavelis, an expert on Latin American political institutions, will engage in a conversation regarding the virtues and challenges of constitutional change, highlighting the insights provided by a comparison of the U.S. and Chile. Major questions include: When are new constitutions written? What are the advantages and potential hazards of constitutional reform? Are newer constitutions more responsive than old ones? Is a longer or shorter constitution a better guarantor of rights and quality representation? Does the U.S. need a new constitution? What are the lessons that Chile’s constitutional drafting process provides?