Benjamin Franklin And The Bold Experiment Of Pennsylvania’s 1776 Constitution

Pennsylvania tried something in 1776 that still tempts us today: push democracy to the front of the line and assume the people will keep government honest. With Dr. Beienberg, we walk through the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 and Benjamin Franklin’s surprisingly central role in a state charter that deserves way more attention in any conversation about the American founding, state constitutions, and the roots of U.S. constitutional law. We break down what Pennsylvania gets right, especial...