Reading time: 2 minutes
On January 20th, Professor Lee Strang, the director of the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at The Ohio State University, was the guest speaker at the MCC Center for Constitutional Politics’ research seminar series. Professor Strang delivered an insightful lecture based on his book "Originalism’s Promise" (Cambridge University Press, 2019), which explores the foundations and implications of originalist constitutional interpretation.
In his talk, Professor Strang argued that originalism – the method of interpreting the Constitution according to its original meaning – provides the most principled and effective approach for judges. He highlighted that this method aligns with natural law principles and promotes human flourishing, offering a compelling justification for originalist interpretation. By contrast, he critiqued the living constitutionalism approach, which he argued undermines the stability and coherence of the legal system.
Drawing from Originalism’s Promise, Professor Strang provided a detailed account of originalism’s theoretical underpinnings and practical applications. His book, widely regarded as a significant contribution to the field, is the first to offer a natural law justification for originalism and includes a comprehensive originalist theory of precedent. Through this lens, he examined how originalism supports a robust democratic culture and deepens public reverence for the Constitution, its Framers, and the American legal tradition.
Following his presentation, MCC students and faculty engaged Professor Strang in a lively discussion. Topics ranged from the nuances of constitutional interpretation to the comparative dynamics of constitutional adjudication in the United States and Hungary. The dialogue offered participants an opportunity to explore the practical implications of originalism and its relevance in both American and Hungarian contexts.
