Book Talk with Tom Sullivan

Professor aAndrew Coan will engage E. Thomas Sullivan, former University of Arizona College of Law Dean (1989-95) and University of Vermont President (2012-19), in a conversation about Sullivan’s new book (with University of Minnesota S. Walter Richey Professor of Corporate Law Richard Painter), The US Presidency: Power, Responsibility, and Accountability. Few topics are of more urgent contemporary interest and concern than are the contours of presidential power. In recent years, the United States Supreme Court has interpreted presidential powers expansively, relying on a theory of “exclusive” constitutional presidential powers, paired with what has been described as the “unitary executive” account of Article II. This in turn has led to increasingly expansive assertions of presidential power by the Trump Administration. The Conversation will explore these issues from a political, historical, and legal perspective. How is power acquired? How is it used or misused? How are the President's powers checked and how are they held accountable to and by the people? Rather than promote a single theory of presidential power, Sullivan and Painter offer a range of arguments for and against power in various circumstances and Supreme Court holdings. The authors make a case for a democratic model of self-government centered on accountability and the rule of law. Lunch will be served to those registered. Register here for both in-person and Zoom attendance: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/kkhhqqe