In his provocative new book, How to Interpret the Constitution, Cass Sunstein (Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard) argues for a new form of constitutional pragmatism in the US – but a pragmatism cabined by a commitment to upholding or acting consistently with various constitutional “fixed points”. What is the relevance of these ideas to an Australian context? Could a legalist High Court ever contemplate pragmatism of this kind – and indeed should it? And what would be the “fixed points” of Australian constitutional law and construction?
In this seminar, Professor Sunstein will introduce the book and Gilbert + Tobin Centre Director Professor Rosalind Dixon will offer commentary. The seminar will be chaired by Professor Lisa Burton Crawford (Sydney Law School).
The event will be held in a hybrid format at the UNSW Faculty of Law & Justice (Level Two Staff Common Room) and online via Zoom.
The GSPL Series brings together public law academics from across greater Sydney to discuss global books in the field of public law. It is convened by Professor Rosalind Dixon (UNSW), Professor Lisa Burton Crawford (USyd), Dr Harry Hobbs (UTS), Shreeya Smith (WSU), Ashleigh Barnes (Mq).