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2001 marks the 250th
anniversary of James Madison's birth. It is an apt time to assess
this Founding Father's historical contributions and the future of
his ideas. Madison's greatest legacy is the United States Constitution
and its ideas supporting limited government: minority rights, the
dangers of faction, separation of church and state, enumerated powers,
and a realistic, though not pessimistic, view of human nature. Conference
participants are invited to join leading scholars and public policy
experts in engaging James Madison as both a man of history and a
living contemporary whose ideas continue to inform our political
debates.
Conference participants are invited to join leading scholars and
public policy experts in engaging James Madison as both a man of
history and a living contemporary whose ideas continue to inform
our political debates.
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Berns
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Bueno
de Mesquita
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Malcolm
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Tomasi
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Palmer
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Pilon
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Kozinski
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Buchanan
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PANEL ONE
addresses both Madison's constitutional design for the United States
and his theory of political economy enunciated most famously in
Federalist #10. Madison believed representative government, not
direct democracy, provided a firm foundation for a lasting republic.
In this past election year we have seen the return of the initiative
and much skepticism about the wisdom and good faith of representatives.
Has Jeffersonian direct democracy won the day against Madison's
prudent faith in republican institutions? This panel will also explore
the historical dimension of Madison's constitutionalism.
PANEL TWO
considers Madison's ideas in an international context. As more and
more nations wish to be free, democratic, and prosperous, do Madison's
ideas about limited government offer any guidance for reaching those
goals? Which political institutions promote economic growth? Are
economic freedom and political democracy compatible? Would developing
nations be well advised to follow Madison's ideas about government
and constitutionalism?
PANEL THREE
examines Madison's faith that a diversity of interests would protect
the new American republic from tyranny. Does multiculturalism hold
the same promise for contemporary government? Should Madison's thinking
influence emerging global governance?
PANEL FOUR
highlights one major ideological distinction between conservatives
and libertarians: the public status of religion. Like Madison, libertarians
see mixing government and religion as a potential threat to individual
freedom and private conscience. Like Madison, conservatives are
concerned about civic virtue, and many of them look to a public
role for religion as the way to virtue. Beyond clarifying differences
between libertarians and conservatives, this panel seeks to find
common ground.
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