The Madisonian Constitution and Supreme Court Power with George Thomas | BRI Scholar Talks

Is the Supreme Court the final word on the meaning of the Constitution? In this episode of Scholar Talks, Tony Williams, Senior Fellow at the Bill of Rights Institute, is joined by George Thomas, Bernadette C. Wofford Professor of American Political Institutions at Claremont McKenna College, to explore insights from Thomas’s acclaimed book, The Madisonian Constitution.

This episode delves into the foundational principles of the Madisonian system, emphasizing the separation of powers and the shared responsibility of all branches of government in interpreting the Constitution. Through compelling historical case studies, the discussion examines debates over judicial supremacy, Congress's enforcement of the 14th Amendment, and the Progressive Era's challenges to constitutional structure. Thomas also highlights lessons from figures like Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt, demonstrating how constitutional interpretation has evolved through political and legal conflict.