The Rule of Law and the Common Good

In recent years, the rule of law has been under stress, including in Western liberal democracies. Hear from leading scholars of law and Catholic Social Thought who will explore accountability, just law, open government, and accessible and impartial justice through the lens of the common good—and what might be done to address the eroding commitment to those principles around the world.

Keynote Panel: The Rule of Law and the Common Good
4:00 -6:00 pm | Gasson Hall 100
Familiar with both law and the history of CST, the three keynote panelists will provide a broad overview of the rule of law, highlighting key elements in its development and articulation. Together, they will offer a sweeping overview that will set the stage for the working panels to be held the following day.
Moderator:

• David Quigley, Boston College, Robert L. and Judith T. Winston Provost and Dean of Faculties

Panelists:

• Jedediah Purdy, Duke University, Raphael Lemkin Distinguished Professor of Law
• David Luban, Georgetown University, University Professor, Professor of Law and Philosophy
• Mary Ellen O’Connell, University of Notre Dame, Robert & Marion Short Professor of Law, Professor of International Peace Studies, Kroc Institute
  

Dinner Reception
6:00-7:30 pm | Gasson Hall 112

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Continental Breakfast
8:00-9:00 am | Gasson 112

Panel 1: The Rule of Law—What Exactly Is It?
9:00-11:30 am | Gasson Hall 100
Because this is an interdisciplinary conference, including a number of nonlawyers, this first working panel needs to create a bridge between the fields. The main speaker, a lawyer, will delve into the concept of the rule of law, indicating some of its concrete applications with respect to contemporary issues (e.g., criminal law, constitutional law, immigration law). The two respondents from the field of CST will begin to draw specific connections between different elements of the rule of law and bedrock principles of CST, e.g., human dignity and solidarity.

Moderator:

• Cathleen Kaveny, Boston College, Darald and Juliet Libby Millennium Professor of Law and Theology

Opening Speaker:

• Brian Tamanaha, Washington University – St. Louis, John S. Lehmann University Professor, Professor of Law

Respondents:

• Nicholas Hayes-Mota, Santa Clara University, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
• Anna Rowlands, Durham University, St. Hilda Chair of Catholic Social Thought and Practice
• Aristotle Papanikolaou, Fordham University, Professor of Theology, Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture, Co-Director, Orthodox Christian Studies Center

Buffet Lunch
11:30 am - 1:00 pm | Gasson Hall 112

Panel 2: Catholic Social Thought on the Rule of Law—What is There to Say?
1:00 - 3:00 pm | Gasson Hall 100
The main speaker is an expert in CST. In addition to briefly explicating its fundamental principles, he will articulate the explicit and implicit arguments that can be found within it for the rule of law, particularly in light of the regulative ideal of the common good. The two respondents are both law professors very familiar with CST. They will examine the possibilities and challenges that secular concepts of the rule of law and CST create for each other.

Moderator:

• Gregory Kalscheur, S.J., Boston College, Dean, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

Opening speaker:

• Patrick Riordan, S.J., Campion Hall, University of Oxford, Senior Fellow in Political Philosophy and Catholic Social Thought

Respondents:

• John Coughlin, O.F.M., New York University Abu Dhabi (UAE), Global Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies and Law
• Vincent Rougeau, The College of the Holy Cross, President

Break

3:00-3:30 pm | Gasson Hall 112

Panel 3: Contemporary Challenges to the Rule of Law—What Must We Do Now?
3:30-5:30 pm | Gasson Hall 100
This conference will conclude by addressing the significant stresses eroding commitment to the rule of law around the world, including in Western liberal democracies. The main speaker, a law professor with a capacious understanding of constitutional law, global relations, and political theory, will identify the most pressing challenges to the rule of law and possible ways to overcome those challenges. His respondents are experts in CST from the American and the European environment. They will highlight ways in which CST can develop to partner with defenders of the rule of law around the world. The purpose of this session is to situate the problems in the United States within a global context.

Moderator:

• Odette Lienau, Boston College, Marianne D. Short, Esq. Dean, The Law School

Main Speaker:

• Aziz Rana, Boston College, J. Donald Monan, S.J., University Professor of Law and Government

Respondents:

• Thomas Massaro, S.J., Fordham University, Laurence J. McGinley Professor of Religion and Society
• Michelle Becka, University of Würzburg, Chair of Christian Social Ethics
  

Cocktails and Dinner for Conference Presenters
6:30-8:30 pm | Legal Seafood

Sponsored by: Boston College Law School; Jesuit Institute, Boston College; Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences; Office of the Provost, Boston College

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