George Conway III

Rentals

This talk will explore the idea that the endurance of the rule of law in the United States relies not solely on the provisions of the Constitution—its structural framework, the institutions it established, or the rights it enshrines—but fundamentally on the character of its citizens. Qualities such as public-spiritedness, tolerance, moderation, empathy, mutual respect, a sense of fair play, and, ultimately, intelligence, honor, and decency form the foundation of constitutional democracy.

Echoing Benjamin Franklin’s cautionary remark—“A republic, if you can keep it”—the talk reflects on how the republic now faces one of its most precarious moments. The threat, the speaker contends, does not stem from any single individual, not even the President of the United States, but rather from the pervasive political disquiet within a large segment of the electorate.

A change in administration in 2021 did not resolve this underlying ailment, and a future shift in 2029 will not remedy it either—unless those who grasp the importance of constitutionalism and the rule of law can meaningfully convey to others that the preservation of their rights depends on their willingness to uphold the rights of others. The presentation will conclude with a discussion on whether—and how—such civic understanding can be rekindled.

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