Democracy in France and America with Justice Stephen Breyer and Christiane Taubira

The Honorable Stephen G. Breyer, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (ret.) and National Constitution Center honorary co-chair, joins Christiane Taubira, former French justice minister, for a conversation on democracy, the rule of law, and constitutional traditions from French and American perspectives. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

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Democracy in an Age of Uncertainty: French and American Perspectives is made possible thanks to the Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation. 

The Panelists

Christiane Taubira

Born in Cayenne, French Guiana, Christiane Taubira is a prominent French politician, writer, and former Minister of Justice. She served in the National Assembly (1993–2012) and the European Parliament (1994–1999), and in 2001, authored the law recognizing slavery as a crime against humanity. As Justice Minister (2012–2016), she led major reforms, including the legalization of same-sex marriage. A committed voice for justice and culture, she is also the author of several acclaimed books. 

Stephen G. Breyer

Former Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1994–2022), Stephen Breyer is widely acknowledged as one of the leading thinkers in American constitutional law. A comparative law expert, Harvard Law School professor, and author of numerous books, he is known for his pragmatic and humanistic approach to jurisprudence. As Honorary Co-Chair of the National Constitution Center, he continues to advocate for civic education and democratic dialogue in the United States.

Jeffrey Rosen

Jeffrey Rosen is the President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, where he hosts We the People, a weekly podcast of constitutional debate. He is also a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor of The Atlantic. He was previously the legal affairs editor of The New Republic and a staff writer for The New Yorker. Rosen’s new book is The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America. His other books include the New York Times bestseller Conversations with RBG: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Life, Love, Liberty, and Law, as well as biographies of Louis Brandeis and William Howard Taft. Rosen is a graduate of Harvard College; Oxford University, where he was a Marshall Scholar; and Yale Law School.