Last week in New York, the St. John’s Center for Law and Religion launched the Tradition Project, a three-year research program on the place of tradition in contemporary life. The Project brings together scholars, judges, and journalists for roundtable discussions on topics such as the American religious tradition and the role of tradition in law and politics. The Project is supported by generous grants from The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and The Achelis and Bodman Foundation.

Last week’s meeting focused on tradition in law and politics. The keynote lecture was delivered by Stanford Law Professor Michael McConnell, who spoke on “Tradition and the Constitution.” McConnell explored the value of tradition generally—as a coordinating mechanism, a democratic check on state power, and a depository of values that endure over time—and then moved to a discussion of tradition and change in constitutional interpretation.