American democracy is in crisis. Government has lost the confidence of the people. The country is more deeply polarized than it has been since Reconstruction. To a large extent, the current problems stem from choices made in drafting the Constitution in 1787 and how it has been interpreted. But the situation is not hopeless. Reforms without constitutional change are possible. And the Constitution, too, can be changed.
"No Democracy Lasts Forever" was the Feb. 20 Robert B. Cole Lecture with the Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley School of Law.
Chemerinsky, a prominent legal scholar, has made significant contributions to the field of law through his extensive writings and court appearances. He is the author of 16 books, including a widely used constitutional law textbook, and has penned over two hundred articles for law review publications. Beyond academia, Chemerinsky shares his insights through regular columns in the Sacramento Bee, the American Bar Association Journal, and the Los Angeles Daily Journal, and often writes opinion pieces for leading newspapers nationwide.
In addition to his writing, Chemerinsky has presented arguments in several notable cases before the United States Supreme Court, including United States v. Apel, Scheidler v. National Organization for Women, Lockyer v. Andrade, and Van Orden v. Perry. His work continues influencing legal scholarship and public discourse on critical constitutional issues.
The Robert B. Cole Lecture Series is part of an array of distinguished lectures, forums, panel discussions, and other scholarly events sponsored by the law school and by student organizations providing a forum for faculty, students, practicing attorneys, and the public to hear distinguished jurists and public figures discuss essential legal and international matters. The Cole Lecture was established in 1985 through the generosity of the former Miami law firm of Mershon, Sawyer, Johnston, Dunwody & Cole.
The series honors the late Robert B. Cole, who served for years as the principal legal advisor for the University of Miami and served on the School of Law's Visiting Committee. Previous speakers have included U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Justice John Paul Stevens, Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., Justice Harry A. Blackmun, Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Stephen G. Breyer, and Justice Anthony M. Kennedy.
The event is part of the University of Miami's centennial celebration, commemorating 100 years of breaking boundaries and shaping what’s next. As the University enters its second century, it remains committed to advancing knowledge, and tackling the challenges of tomorrow.
More on lectures and symposia at Miami Law.
