Join constitutional law scholar Maxwell Stearns for a discussion of his award-winning book, Parliamentary America: The Least Radical Means of Radically Repairing Our Broken Democracy.  Americans across the political spectrum increasingly express frustration with their electoral choices, their political parties, and the functioning of our governmental institutions.  Drawing upon illustrations from popular culture and the experiences of democracies around the world, Stearns identifies the root problem of two-party presidentialism. Stearns explores why coalition governments, multiparty competition, and parliamentary institutions have proved more successful around the globe and how their best features can be pragmatically adapted to the United States.

Stearns will examine popularly discussed alternatives, including ranked-choice voting, the national popular vote, and congressional term limits. He will explain why, despite the growing attention such reforms have received, none address the profound challenges confronting American democracy and each faces fundamental enactment challenges. In this engaging and accessible presentation, Stearns will discuss the continuing crisis of democratic governance, the prospects for meaningful reform, and why serious conversations about constitutional design matter more than ever. 

About the Author: 

Maxwell L. Stearns is the Venable, Baetjer & Howard Professor of Law at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law. He has authored dozens of articles and several books on the Constitution, the Supreme Court, and the economic analysis of law.

About the Program: 

• Books will be available for purchase.
• Street parking, ADA-accessible parking spot, and bike parking available. There is a public parking garage nearby. The EV charging station is temporarily out of service.