Active Liberty: Interpreting Our Democratic Constitution

Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, an influential voice on the Supreme Court since 1994, spoke at Brookings on Monday, October 17. Justice Breyer discussed the Constitution and how the Supreme Court interprets it; the relationship among the Supreme Court, Congress and the executive branch; and recent Supreme Court decisions on religion, free speech, affirmative action and privacy.

Justice Breyer also expanded on themes in his latest book, Active Liberty: Interpreting Our Democratic Constitution in which he discusses the Constitution’s ability to adapt to current problems as well as how the U.S. government shares responsibility with its citizens.