Revisiting the Founding Debates

Written By James Bacon

There are still islands of intellectual diversity at the University of Virginia. One of them is an active Federalist Society. On March 4 & 5, the society is hosting an event, "The Federalists Vs. the Anti-Federalists: Revisiting the Founding Debates." States the event summary:

Many who study the Founding focus only on The Federalist Papers. Of course, the Federalists “won” in that they supported the eventually ratified Constitution. But the Anti-Federalists were the other half of the story. Their concerns framed the debate. And, although they “lost,” they are responsible for our Bill of Rights. This symposium will provide an opportunity to revisit the founding debates and discuss the arguments for and against our Constitution.

The symposium will host six debates/panels on significant constitutional issues:

  • Were the Founders themselves originalists?
  • The Anti-Federalists: planting seeds of American populism
  • 21st century federalism: a view from the states
  • Resolved: the Federalists designed a Constitution of plenary federal power
  • Modern debates, old insights: the Federalists, Anti-Federalists, and executive power
  • Founders & foes

The Jefferson Council urges members of the University of Virginia community to support intellectual pluralism on the grounds. We can think of nothing more important in our current political context than deepening an understanding of the thinking behind the founding of our nation. Please support the Federalist Society.For details and registration information, click here.-- JAB

James Bacon

After a 25-year career in Virginia journalism, James A. Bacon founded Bacon’s Rebellion in 2002 a blog with the goal of “Reinventing Virginia for the 21st Century.” Its focus is on building more prosperous, livable and sustainable communities. In recent years he has concentrated more on the spread of “woke” ideology in K-12 schools, the criminal justice system, higher education, and medicine.

In 2021, he co-founded The Jefferson Council to preserve free speech, intellectual diversity, and the Jeffersonian legacy at his alma mater the University of Virginia. He previously served as the organization’s executive director, now serving as congributing editor.

Aside from blogging, Bacon writes books. His first was Boomergeddon: How Runaway Deficits Will Bankrupt the Country and Ruin Retirement for Aging Baby Boomers — And What You Can Do About It, followed by Maverick Miner: How E. Morgan Massey Became a Coal Industry Legend and a work of science fiction, Dust Mites: the Siege of Airlock Three.

A Virginian through-and-through, Bacon lives in Richmond with his wife Laura.

https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/
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