Center for Constitutional Politics

“If Men were angels, no government would be necessary” – James Madison famously said. However, that’s not what we are dealing with in reality: political power and authority is exercised by fallible people over fallible people – with no angels at either end. Our research at the MCC Center for Constitutional Politics examines how this political authority is created and, at the same time, constrained by constitutions adopted by imperfect people. The research projects of the Center seek to answer the question of how political actors and judges – who are the guardians of the constitution – bring the constitution to life, how the most fundamental rules of a political community are adopted, followed (or disregarded), enforced or even reshaped. In the 21st century, the boundaries of political communities are increasingly called into question and being redefined. Thus, our work covers the examination of questions of national sovereignty, European and global constitutionalism. The Center for Constitutional Politics offers MCC students a range of debate-style courses, allowing them to engage in guided discussion over the questions of political and constitutional theory that affect their everyday lives.

The MCC Center for Constitutional Politics hosts several conferences and guest lectures. Invited speakers include:

Lord Sumption (former Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom)
John Larkin (former Attorney General for Northern Ireland)
Péter Paczolay (European Court of Human Rights)
Nigel Biggar (University of Oxford)
Paul Yowell (University of Oxford)
Carlos Bernal (University of Dayton)
Nuno Garoupa (George Mason University)
Jeremy Rabkin (George Mason University)
Jon Shields (Claremont McKenna College)
Joel Kotkin (Chapman University)
Richard Bellamy (University College London)
Bill Kissane (London School of Economics)
Mikael Madsen (University of Copenhagen)
Kjersti Lohne (University of Oslo)
Cristina Parau (NTNU / University of Oxford)
Conor Casey (University of Liverpool)
Gonzalo Candia (Catholic University of Chile)
Gaëtan Cliquennois (University of Nantes)
Andrea Polegato (California State University)
Simon Kennedy (University of Qeensland)

Kálmán Pócza, PhD

Head of the Center for Constitutional Politics

School of Social Sciences and History

Márton Csapodi

Center for Constitutional Politics PhD researcher

School of Social Sciences and History

Political philosophy in everyday life: utilitarianism and libertarianism

Political decisions often present decision-makers with serious dilemmas. Beyond political gain, they must also answer difficult questions such as: Why is it compulsory to wear a seat belt? Is taxation really the same as forced labour? Should the rich pay proportionally more tax? Why should property rights be sacred? Why is compulsory military service good/bad? Should voluntary surrogacy really be banned? During the course, students will debate the most fundamental questions of political philosophy, using practical examples to illustrate the arguments for and against.

Political philosophy in everyday life: beyond utilitarianism and libertarianism

The course will not revisit the topics covered in the course Political Philosophy in Everyday Life (utilitarianism, libertarianism), but will introduce students to the political dilemmas of equity and virtue. In addition to political utilitarianism, policy makers have to answer difficult questions such as: should the human dignity of murderers be respected? Why can't a man born outside the US be President of the US? Should those born into poverty be compensated somehow? Does the talent born with us create social injustice? Should we require Hooters to hire male wait staff? Are we really not allowed to lie under any circumstances? Is there really no better principle of social organization than meritocracy? Is positive discrimination necessary? Why should one be loyal to one's country? What is patriotism: virtue or harmful prejudice? Does the common good exist? During the course, students will debate the most fundamental questions of political philosophy, using practical examples to illustrate the arguments for and against.

Center for Constitutional Politics

Kálmán Pócza, PhD

Head of the Center for Constitutional Politics

Márton Csapodi

Center for Constitutional Politics PhD researcher

Political philosophy in everyday life: utilitarianism and libertarianism

Political philosophy in everyday life: beyond utilitarianism and libertarianism

Political governance

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