Ep. 7: Caleb Brennan on Reimagining the Constitutional Order

Luke talks with Caleb Brennan, a journalist and the author of the recent article in Splinter, “It’s Time to Reimagine the Constitutional Order.” Caleb covers various topics in our conversation, including how he became interested in democracy and the Sanders’ campaign, problems with the Constitution, the Democratic Party, the Bolivian Constitution, and what comes next. Caleb is the seventh person we’ve interviewed for the podcast, and I have to say, I’m proud of the list of names we’ve managed to assemble. Not only have our guests provided a wealth of information about important topics, but they also exemplify the many ways people engage with the Constitution and the question of democracy. Kurt Hackbarth and José Luis Granados Ceja are familiar with the Mexican political system and can describe the unique nature of U.S. constitutional reverence compared to other countries. Daniel Lazare, a journalist by trade, has been critiquing the Constitution since the 1990s when even the mildest criticism was met with ridicule. Rashad X, Steven R, and Oren S hold essential positions in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and grapple with the Constitution in the context of on-the-ground organizing. Aziz Rana is an educator and law scholar who engages frequently in debates within his field. Caleb Brennan, also a journalist, grew up during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His understanding of democracy and U.S. politics was primarily shaped by the two Bernie Sanders campaigns. Harvey Kaye, Michael Klarman, and Samuel Moyn will be future podcast guests. As the country’s problems become more acute, Lucas and I think that an ever-larger and increasingly diverse swath of society will be brought into conflict with the Constitution. We hope to assist people in drawing conclusions about the need for an actual democracy.