Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Thomas Jefferson expected the Constitution to be revised or replaced once every generation. George Washington thought it would be effective for a quarter of a century, perhaps a bit longer. We are now 237 years into this Constitution and it is showing its age–it was written by 55 white men in wigs and buckled shoes. In its history, it has only been amended 27 times, most recently 34 years ago. When a constitution ceases to address the questions of human freedom, rights and effective governance, mischief inevitably follows. Throughout our history, we have faced questions about unitary executives, presidential authority and how it applies to our changing world.
Humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson offers a look at the Constitution together with an eye to its original intentions, its evolution through the course of American history and its status in American life.
Clay Jenkinson is a historian, author, speaker, and public humanities scholar known for his work on Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, and American civic life. In this lecture, he brings historical context, constitutional analysis, and civic urgency to the question of whether America’s governing system needs serious repair.
What do you think: should the Constitution be amended, rewritten, or preserved as it is? Share your thoughts in the comments, subscribe for more conversations on American history and civic life, and explore related videos on democracy, the Founding Fathers, and constitutional reform.
0:00 Introduction
0:45 George Washington’s Constitutional Paradox
3:20 Executive Power and Broken Norms
7:05 Rules, Referees, and Checks and Balances
10:40 Impeachment and Failed Accountability
13:20 Why Amendments Are Nearly Impossible
17:10 Jefferson’s Case for Constitutional Change
22:30 The Constitution as a Sacred Document
26:15 Philadelphia 1787 and the Founders
32:00 Madison, Government, and Human Nature
36:30 What the Constitution Leaves Out
43:00 Slavery, Democracy, and Political Parties
49:20 The Articles of Confederation
55:00 Jill Lepore and the Amendment Problem
1:02:00 Hamilton vs. Jefferson
1:10:30 War Powers and Runaway Presidents
1:18:00 What Should Be Reformed?
1:23:30 The Senate Representation Problem
1:30:00 Audience Q&A Begins
1:35:00 Election Law and Federal Standards
1:43:00 Can Reform Happen One Issue at a Time?
1:50:00 Rights, Amendments, and Birthright Citizenship
1:58:00 North Dakota, Populism, and Political Change
2:08:00 Propaganda, Media, and Shared Facts
2:18:00 Final Questions and Closing Thoughts
#USConstitution #AmericanHistory #Democracy #FoundingFathers #constitutionalreform
Thomas Jefferson expected the Constitution to be revised or replaced once every generation. George Washington thought it would be effective for a quarter of a century, perhaps a bit longer. We are now 237 years into this Constitution and it is showing its age–it was written by 55 white men in wigs and buckled shoes. In its history, it has only been amended 27 times, most recently 34 years ago. When a constitution ceases to address the questions of human freedom, rights and effective governance, mischief inevitably follows. Throughout our history, we have faced questions about unitary executives, presidential authority and how it applies to our changing world.
Humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson offers a look at the Constitution together with an eye to its original intentions, its evolution through the course of American history and its status in American life.
Clay Jenkinson is a historian, author, speaker, and public humanities scholar known for his work on Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, and American civic life. In this lecture, he brings historical context, constitutional analysis, and civic urgency to the question of whether America’s governing system needs serious repair.
What do you think: should the Constitution be amended, rewritten, or preserved as it is? Share your thoughts in the comments, subscribe for more conversations on American history and civic life, and explore related videos on democracy, the Founding Fathers, and constitutional reform.
0:00 Introduction
0:45 George Washington’s Constitutional Paradox
3:20 Executive Power and Broken Norms
7:05 Rules, Referees, and Checks and Balances
10:40 Impeachment and Failed Accountability
13:20 Why Amendments Are Nearly Impossible
17:10 Jefferson’s Case for Constitutional Change
22:30 The Constitution as a Sacred Document
26:15 Philadelphia 1787 and the Founders
32:00 Madison, Government, and Human Nature
36:30 What the Constitution Leaves Out
43:00 Slavery, Democracy, and Political Parties
49:20 The Articles of Confederation
55:00 Jill Lepore and the Amendment Problem
1:02:00 Hamilton vs. Jefferson
1:10:30 War Powers and Runaway Presidents
1:18:00 What Should Be Reformed?
1:23:30 The Senate Representation Problem
1:30:00 Audience Q&A Begins
1:35:00 Election Law and Federal Standards
1:43:00 Can Reform Happen One Issue at a Time?
1:50:00 Rights, Amendments, and Birthright Citizenship
1:58:00 North Dakota, Populism, and Political Change
2:08:00 Propaganda, Media, and Shared Facts
2:18:00 Final Questions and Closing Thoughts
#USConstitution #AmericanHistory #Democracy #FoundingFathers #constitutionalreform
