Akhil Reed Amar Discusses The Principles of American Democracy at Assembly

On Friday, October 11, Akhil Reed Amar addressed the Hopkins community about the foundations of the U.S. Constitution and American democracy during the morning assembly. The main point of Amar’s presentation was that never before in the history of mankind had there been a government for the people, by the people, as large and effective as the one established by the United States. His discussion included a breakdown of the Constitution’s preamble, the historical context surrounding its enactment, and was followed by a Q&A session with several students.

Amar is the Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University, where he teaches constitutional law at both Yale College and Yale Law School. He is a distinguished scholar in originalism, the U.S. Bill of Rights, and criminal procedure. Amar is a parent of three Hopkins graduates.

Akhil Reed Amar’s presentation was part of the School’s 2024-2025 Speaker Series, which focuses on the theme of democracy. The series features a range of knowledgeable speakers offering insights on democracy both in the U.S. and abroad. Through this program, Hopkins aims to deepen students’ knowledge of civics—the mechanics of democracy—and promote civil discourse. The goal is to educate students on matters of citizenship and prepare them to be critical thinkers.


Click here to watch the full assembly.