Popes and Presidents

About this episode

The episode discusses the conflict between the President and Pope Leo X regarding church and state in a democracy, alongside a conversation with Sarah Isgur about her book on judicial behavior.

The President has picked a fight with the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo X. Putting aside some of the distasteful elements of language and hubris, we ask where this fits in with notions of church and state in a democracy. What is the constitutional doctrine - is it “separation?” Where does it come from, historically and legally? A general theory of such things can help us make sense - well, maybe not of everything that is said these days, but perhaps of the numerous cases that are percolating to and arriving at the Supreme Court. And in a special treat, we continue our conversation with Sarah Isgur on her new book, Last Branch Standing, and look more deeply at the patterns of judicial behavior that have emerged from several of the justices, among other things.

People in this episode

Host: Akhil Reed Amar

Guest: Sarah Isgur

Topics covered

• church and state
• constitutional doctrine
• Supreme Court
• judicial behavior
• democracy

Keywords

• church and state
• constitutional doctrine
• Supreme Court
• judicial behavior
• democracy
• Pope Leo X
• Sarah Isgur

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Last Branch Standing

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