US Constitution Lecture with Prof Michael Motta

Title: Political powering or authentic puzzling? A Policy Learning and Diffusion Analysis of the US Constitution's Drafting and Ratification 

Abstract: At once, and almost paradoxically, the US Constitution is praised for being a first-of-its-kind document that creates a novel form of government, as well as being the learned culmination of an analysis of previous failed attempts at democratic governance elsewhere in history. Relatedly, some claim that the Constitution was drafted by well-educated and well-meaning statesmen devoid of self-interest, while others argue it was private interest that primarily motivated the Founders. In this talk, Professor Motta explores which Constitutional ideas are novel and which are emulated from elsewhere, and what the ratio of pure political powering to authentic policy puzzling among the Founders was. 

Bio: Michael Motta, Ph.D., J.D. is Associate Professor of Political Science. He researches and writes about policy learning and diffusion -- the mechanisms through which policies spread across governmental borders. Here at Farmingdale, Professor Motta primarily teaches classes in American politics, law, and energy policy, as well as the First Year Experience course.