History

Constitution USA with Peter Sagal

Peter Sagal, host of NPR's "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me!" travels across the country to find out where the U.S. Constitution lives, how it works and how it doesn't, how it unites us as a nation, and how it has nearly torn us apart.

Built to Last

52m 40s

In this last episode, Sagal travels to Iceland, where after the country’s economic collapse, leaders decided to create a new constitution, looking to the U.S. Constitution for inspiration. This prompts Sagal to consider why our own founding document has lasted more than 225 years.

Episodes

  • Built to Last: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Built to Last

    S1 E4 - 52m 40s

    In this last episode, Sagal travels to Iceland, where after the country’s economic collapse, leaders decided to create a new constitution, looking to the U.S. Constitution for inspiration. This prompts Sagal to consider why our own founding document has lasted more than 225 years.

  • Created Equal: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Created Equal

    S1 E3 - 53m 11s

    The high ideals of the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal” didn’t make it into the Constitution in 1787. It took three-quarters of a century, and a bloody civil war, before the Fourteenth Amendment of 1868 made equality a constitutional right and gave the federal government the power to enforce it.

  • It's a Free Country: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    It's a Free Country

    S1 E2 - 53m 10s

    Ask Americans what the Constitution’s most important feature is and most will say it’s the guarantees of liberty enshrined in the Bill of Rights. In this episode, Sagal explores the history of the Bill of Rights and addresses several stories — ripped from the headlines — involving freedom of speech, freedom of religion and right to privacy.

  • A More Perfect Union: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A More Perfect Union

    S1 E1 - 53m 10s

    Breathing new life into the traditional civics lesson, Peter Sagal (host of NPR’s “Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me”) travels across the country on a Harley Davidson to find out where the U.S. Constitution lives, how it works and how it doesn’t; how it unites us as a nation and how it has nearly torn us apart.

Extras + Features

  • Why has the Constitution lasted so long?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Why has the Constitution lasted so long?

    S1 - 1m 28s

    Yale professor Akhil Amar talks about why our Constitution has endured as long as it has. He believes this is because of its ability to be amended.

  • What are activist judges?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    What are activist judges?

    S1 - 1m 49s

    Federal Judge Harvie Wilkinson discusses the concept of "activist judges" and why he believes both Constitutional originalists and those who back the idea of a "living constitution" have it wrong.

  • Congressional Gridlock, can it be good?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Congressional Gridlock, can it be good?

    S1 - 1m 42s

    Yale professor Akhil Amar talks about Congressional gridlock. Did the framers have this in mind when they drafted the Constitution? Can gridlock be good?

  • The perils of big government: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The perils of big government

    S1 - 1m 30s

    Humorist P.J. O'Rourke talks about the perils of big government and why the people should be wary of putting giving leaders at the federal level too much power.

  • Liberty, equality and the 14th Amendment : asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Liberty, equality and the 14th Amendment

    S1 - 1m 45s

    What exactly does "liberty" mean? What does "equality" mean? Columbia law Professor Jamal Greene talks about why we've had so many legal battles about those few words in the 14th amendment.

  • What IS freedom of speech?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    What IS freedom of speech?

    S1 - 1m 25s

    UCLA Law Professor Eugene Volokh explains why the freedom of speech doesn't mean "the freedom to say whatever you want, wherever you want." He also touches upon why it's so important for a democracy to have freedom of speech and of the press.

  • How is the 14th Amendment NOT being followed?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    How is the 14th Amendment NOT being followed?

    S1 - 1m 56s

    Lawyer Michelle Alexander explains why she believes the 14th amendment is not being followed -- particularly when it comes to former inmates, and their right to vote.

  • The delicate balance of federal and state government: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The delicate balance of federal and state government

    S1 - 1m 18s

    Historian Rick Beeman discusses the delicate balance between the federal government and state governments that the founders were trying to achieve. Which did the founders believe should have more power?

  • Does privacy still exist?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Does privacy still exist?

    S1 - 2m 6s

    Private Investigator Efrat Cohen explains why there really isn't any privacy anymore -- and what the government is legally allowed to do with information you publish online.

  • Why the federal government is necessary: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Why the federal government is necessary

    S1 - 1m 23s

    Harvard Professor Jody Freeman explains why she believes it's sometimes necessary to rely on the power of the federal government - especially when it pertains to environmental law and federal efficiency standards.

  • How the first amendment works: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    How the first amendment works

    S1 - 1m 12s

    New York Times Editor Bill Keller explains why he loves the first amendment -- and why he believes it's a gift, not only to writers, but to readers as well.

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