The Leon Jaworski Public Program Series Since 2001, the American Bar Association Division for Public Education has conducted the Leon Jaworski public program series, a continuing series of programs on the law and lawyers' role in American culture. Prior programs have examined the lawyer as reformer, the lawyer as celebrity, the lawyer as judge, the lawyer as rhetor, the lawyer as citizen, and the jury and American democracy. More fundamentally, the Jaworski public programs have examined themes of American law, politics, and culture and have operated on the premise that exploring fundamental legal identities and attributes helps us better understand who we are as Americans. Event Details | Online Registration--CLOSED | Framing Questions Program Partners | Formal Invitation | Past Programs | About Leon Jaworski 2006 Event Details The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Public Education and Commission on Civic Education and the Separation of Powers, in cooperation with the Law Library of Congress, ABA Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress, League of Women Voters, and the Federation of State Humanities Councils invite you to attend the 2006 Leon Jaworski Public Program (6th Annual) "Separate Branches, Balanced Powers: Madison's Legacy" Monday, May 1, 2006 4:45 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.* Library of Congress James Madison Building, Madison Hall Independence Avenue, SE (1st and 2nd), First Floor Washington, D.C. *Reception to precede program Presiding: Michael Greco, President, American Bar Association Moderator: Jeffrey Rosen Professor, George Washington University Law School Legal Affairs Editor, The New Republic Panelists: Richard Matthews Chair, Department of Government, Lehigh University Abner Mikva Schwartz Lecturer, University of Chicago and former White House Counsel and Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Gary Rosen Managing Editor, Commentary Magazine Patricia Wald Former Judge, International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Ruth Wedgwood Edward B. Burling Professor of International Law and Diplomacy, The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies Back to top Framing Questions Are the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances truly fundamental to American government? Are the branches of American federal government sufficiently separated? Are these powers sufficiently balanced? What is the standard for judging this? What are the issues and points of conflict today that most vigorously challenge the separation and balance of governmental powers in the United States? Is the problem identified by Madison in Federalist No. 51—how should government be organized to be effective and yet avoid dangerous concentrations of power—still relevant? To accomplish this, is it necessary that "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition"? In Federalist No. 48, Madison wrote that "The legislative department is everywhere extending the sphere of its activity, and drawing all power into its impetuous vortex." Of the three forms of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—which do you think has been most dangerous and capable of "everywhere extending the sphere of its activity"? Why? Has this changed historically? Varies around the world? Following Montesquieu, Madison identified political liberty as the end to which separation of powers—and checks and balances—were the means. Is this still the essential purpose of these two principles in contemporary American government? Might there be other means to achieving that end? How have other constitutional governments addressed this? Back to top Program Partners ABA Standing Committee on Public Education mobilizes the resources of the American Bar Association to promote public understanding of law and the legal profession. ABA Commission on Civic Education and the Separation of Powers is conducting a national initiative during 2005-06 of advocacy for civic education and public awareness of the importance of the principle of separation of powers to the American system of constitutional government. Federation of State Humanities Councils is the membership and advocacy organization of the 56 state and territorial humanities organizations. League of Women Voters encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Law Library of Congress, established in 1832, provides research and legal information to the U.S. Congress, federal courts, and executive agencies and offers reference services to the public. ABA Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress supports efforts to maintain and enhance the collection, functions, and services of the Law Library of Congress and helps it to best meet the needs of the legal community. Friends of the Law Library of Congress, a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1934, aids the Law Library by supporting educational programs and fellowships and by purchasing rare books. Back to top About Leon Jaworski As president of the ABA in 1971, Leon Jaworski established the special committee that was the genesis of the Association’s Division for Public Education. In 1983, a bequest from his estate generously established the Leon Jaworski Fund for Public Education, which continues to support annual public programs, such as this one, devoted to furthering public understanding of law and the legal system.