How do societies balance liberty and stability, popular rule and effective authority? Why do some republics endure while others collapse into oligarchy, tyranny, or empire? Is a well-designed constitution sufficient to sustain democratic self-government over time? These questions are as urgent today as they were in antiquity. At a moment when democratic institutions face mounting pressure, this course examines the long history of constitutional thought and practice in order to better understand the promises and limits of constitutional democracy. The course traces the development of constitutionalism from Ancient Greece and Rome through medieval, early modern, and modern political thought, culminating in contemporary debates over executive power, judicial review, populism, and democratic self-defense. Students will study classical accounts of democracy and its failures; theories of sovereignty, representation, and the separation of powers; and the constitutional experiments. By placing canonical texts in dialogue with historical case studies, students will gain a deeper understanding of constitutional design, democratic stability, and the enduring tension between popular rule and the rule of law.
5 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit · GER: WAY-EDP
How do societies balance liberty and stability, popular rule and effective authority? Why do some republics endure while others collapse into oligarchy, tyranny, or empire? Is a well-designed constitution sufficient to sustain democratic self-government over time? These questions are as urgent today as they were in antiquity. At a moment when democratic institutions face mounting pressure, this course examines the long history of constitutional thought and practice in order to better understand the promises and limits of constitutional democracy. The course traces the development of constitutionalism from Ancient Greece and Rome through medieval, early modern, and modern political thought, culminating in contemporary debates over executive power, judicial review, populism, and democratic self-defense. Students will study classical accounts of democracy and its failures; theories of sovereignty, representation, and the separation of powers; and the constitutional experiments. By placing canonical texts in dialogue with historical case studies, students will gain a deeper understanding of constitutional design, democratic stability, and the enduring tension between popular rule and the rule of law.
Offered in Spring 2026 at Stanford University.