HarvardSpeak LA -- “Not Born a Democracy: Predicates for Constitutional Self-Governance” with HLS Prof. and Former Dean Martha Minow
Prof. Minow's talk is entitled "Not Born a Democracy: Predicates for Constitutional Self-Government." Prof. Minow will discuss some of her insights from a new book that she is currently writing which addresses the preconditions needed for a sustainable constitutional democracy, and then participate in an open Q&A with alumni about this topic and other areas of interest. It is part of the HarvardSpeak LA series of virtual talks that offer the opportunity to interact with some of the most illustrious faculty at Harvard. The talk will be moderated by Neil B. Morganbesser AB ’86.
Thursday, June 25, 2026 @ 15:00-6:15pm
Virtual Event via Zoom (details sent after registration)
Click here to register now!
Cost: $0, members; $10, non-members
Contact: Neil Morganbesser, nmorganbesser@gmail.com
About our Speaker:
Martha Minow holds the 300th Anniversary University Professorship at Harvard University; she has taught at Harvard Law School since 1981 and served as dean for eight years (2009-2017). An expert in constitutional law and human rights, her work has focused on issues of exclusion and discrimination, legal responses to social, political, and religious conflict, and legal treatments of communications and new technologies.
Her books include “Saving the News: Why the Constitution Calls for Government Action to Preserve the Freedom of Speech” (2021); “When Should Law Forgive?” (2019); “In Brown’s Wake: Legacies of America’s Constitutional Landmark” (2010); “Partners, Not Rivals: Privatization and the Public Good” (2002); “Between Vengeance and Forgiveness: Facing History After Genocide and Mass Violence” (1998); and “Making All the Difference: Inclusion, Exclusion, and American Law” (1990
The chair of the board of Massachusetts public media (GBH) and co-chair of the Access to Justice Project of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Prof. Minow serves on the boards of other philanthropies, including the Carnegie Corporation and the SCE Foundation. She also is a board member at the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan organization devoted to strengthening electoral and voting processes in the United States.
Prof. Minow has received ten honorary degrees from schools in three countries, and she will speak about her new book that she is currently writing a book which addresses the preconditions needed for a sustainable constitutional democracy.
About HarvardSpeak LA:
HarvardSpeak LA is a program designed to bring preeminent Harvard faculty and researchers to discuss current topics of interest with the Harvard Club of Southern California through one-hour webinars, consisting of a presentation or discussion followed by Q&A. In 2025, HarvardSpeak LA featured Harvard professors speaking on California wildfires (Loretta Mickley), extraterrestrial intelligence (Avi Loeb), the demise of Jim Crow (Randall Kennedy), conservatives at Harvard (Harvey Mansfield), civil discourse at Harvard (Ned Hall), America's governing crisis (Theda Skocpol), the latest developments in genetics (Joel Hirschhorn), Shakespeare and Marlowe (Stephen Greenblatt), and fairness in the workplace (Iris Bohnet), and in 2026 HarvardSpeak LA has included Prof. Robert Waldinger (on what keeps us happy and healthy), Prof. Harvey C. Mansfield (on his two Harvard books), and Prof. Cass Sunstein (on his theory of the nudge).
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Refund Policy: We do not provide refunds for any of our events.