Mobs in America's Past and Present

We the People

National Constitution Center

News, News Commentary, History

4.6 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 28 January 2021

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

A mob stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, leading to a ricochet of effects including the impeachment of President Trump. On this episode, experts Larry Kramer, president of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Colleen Sheehan, Director of Graduate Studies at the Arizona State School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, explore the history of mobs past and present, online and in-person. They discuss how “good” versus “bad” mobs played a role at the Founding, and how concerns about mobs influenced the political and constitutional thought of Founders including James Madison. They also trace how different types of mobs evolved over time and were seen as illegitimate especially around the Civil War, as well as what has fueled mobs—particularly online mobs—today, including disinformation and social media. They conclude with some thoughts on potential reforms, including the need for more civic education and protections for free speech. Jeffrey Rosen hosts. Resources and transcript available at constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/media-library Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org.

Transcript

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0:00.0	I'm Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center and welcome to
0:08.6	We The People, a weekly show of constitutional debate.
0:12.2	The National Constitution Center is a nonpartisan
0:14.6	nonprofit chartered by Congress to increase awareness and understanding of the
0:20.4	Constitution among the American people.
0:24.0	An armed mob stormed the United States Capitol on January 6th,
0:29.0	the first time that the Capitol has been violently attacked since the War of 1812.
0:35.0	On today's episode of We the People, we explore the history of mobs past, present, and online, with two of America's leading experts on the founders and the mob.
0:48.8	Larry Kramer is president of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
0:53.0	He also serves as a lecture at Stanford Law School,
0:55.4	where he was previously Dean and Richard E. Lang
0:58.9	Professor of Law.
1:00.2	He is the author of many books, including the people themselves, popular constitutionalism and judicial review.
1:07.6	Larry, thank you so much for joining.
1:10.0	Thanks, Jeff.
1:11.3	And Colleen Sheehan is director of graduate studies at the Arizona State School of
1:15.8	Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership.
1:18.3	She is also a member of the National Constitution Center's Madisonian Commission. She is the author of James Madison and the Spirit of Republican
1:26.1	self-government. Colleen, it is wonderful to have you back on the show.
1:31.4	Good to be here, Jeff.
1:33.0	Larry, your book, The People Themselves, Popular Constitutionalism and Judicial Review, is perhaps
1:39.8	the definitive account of the founders and mobs.
	...

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