Panel IV: Constitutions, Elections, and Procedure — (How) Can We Change How We Separate Powers?

This year, the Harvard Federalist Society Chapter hosted the 43rd annual National Student Symposium at Harvard Law School. Symposium panels focused on fundamental questions about our nation’s constitutional structure and the allocation of power between the three branches of government, in keeping with the conference’s theme: Why Separate Powers? Panel IV: Constitutions, Elections, and Procedure — (How) Can We Change How We Separate Powers? Suppose we don’t like how our governmental powers are separated. Perhaps we think the executive branch has too much power. Or perhaps we think that it is doing more than the original meaning of “the executive power” would suggest, but we think that is a good thing. What are the legitimate methods of constitutional change in our republic? Must we amend the Constitution? How should an originalist approach these questions? Featuring: Prof. Sherif Girgis, Associate Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame Law School Prof. Lawrence Lessig, Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership, Harvard Law School Prof. Stephen E. Sachs, Antonin Scalia Professor of Law, Harvard Law School Moderator: Hon. Britt C. Grant, Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit