HSS 60th Anniversary Celebration | Keynote Conversation

Friday, November 6, 2026

4:00pm to 5:00pm

Baxter Lecture Hall

Leviathan Unchained: Rethinking the Framers on Executive Power

John Ferejohn, (HSS Faculty 1972–1983) Samuel Tilden Professor of Law, Emeritus, NYU School of Law,

Jean-Laurent Rosenthal, Rea A. and Lela G. Axline Professor of Business Economics and Director of the Ronald and Maxine Linde Institute of Economic and Management Sciences, Caltech,

Public Event

The framers of the Constitution wanted a limited and small government. In conversation with Jean-Laurent Rosenthal, John Ferejohn will consider three questions: Was the framers' focus on controlling the legislature, rather than the executive, a fundamental flaw? Why has the growth of the executive branch's power accelerated over the last three decades? And how much of this constitutional dynamic results from domestic forces (like race or income inequality) versus international imperatives (such as war or industrial politics)? There will be time for questions from the audience at the end of the session.

The HSS 60th Anniversary Celebration will continue on Saturday, November 7, with a full day of presentations by HSS alumni followed by conversations with current HSS faculty, organized around four themes showcasing the reach and relevance of our expertise. Topics will include everything from AI and democracy to space sustainability, data, and the future of higher education. To view the compete program and register for activities, please visit hss.caltech.edu/hss60.

This event is free and open to the public.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

For more information, please contact Diana Bohler by phone at 626-395-4220 or by email at [email protected] or visit the HSS 60th Anniversary Celebration webpage.

Event Sponsors

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