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Constitutional law scholar Mark Graber to speak on polarization and the courts
Wayne Morse Chair of Law and Politics will examine recent political era and consequences at UO
EUGENE, Ore. -- (Sept. 8, 2008) -- Mark Graber, a constitutional law and politics scholar and the 2008-09 Wayne Morse Chair of Law and Politics, will give a public address at the University of Oregon on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
The Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics is sponsoring the free public event that will begin at 7 p.m. in the William W. Knight Law Center, Room 175, 1515 Agate St.
Graber's public address, "Polarization and the Courts," will examine the recent era of political polarization and the role of the judicial branch.
Graber argues that polarization has a moderating influence on federal courts. He cites divisive issues such as abortion to show that the Supreme Court reflects the center of American political thought while the political parties are more inclined to the extreme. Graber will discuss how sharp partisan conflict can lead to judicial moderation.
Graber teaches law and government at the University of Maryland School of Law in Baltimore.
In his most recent book, "Dred Scott and the Problem of Constitutional Evil," Graber highlights the infamous Dred Scott case to illustrate the sometimes-difficult choices constitutional democracies must make when people with opposing views are forced to find ways to coexist through interpretation of the law (Cambridge Press 2006). He is also the author of "Rethinking Abortion," which examines the history of abortion law in action.
For more information, contact the Wayne Morse center, 541-346-3700.
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.
Contact: Julie Brown, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu
Source: Margaret Hallock, 541-346-3699, hallock@uoregon.edu
Link: Wayne Morse Center, http://www.waynemorsecenter.uoregon.edu
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