Phantoms of a Beleaguered Republic

• Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies

Join Professor Desmond King as he discusses his recent publication

Prof. Desmond King will present his recent paper which draws on comparative theories of the state to analyse the contemporary US polity. It argues first that three enduing and fundamental aspects of the US Constitution’s design continue to determine the parameters of the national state: the scope of legitimate state action, the degree of force permissible for federal authority and the system of electoral representation. Second, the paper argues that these enduring origins underline the tension between the modern twin phantoms of the American state – the deep state, a theory of bureaucratic depth, and the unitary executive, a jurisprudential claim about presidential power. Third, the Deep State and the unitary executive framed every major contest of the Trump presidency (and will remain significant for Biden). Like phantom twins, they draw each other out.

Prof. King is the Andrew W Mellon Professor of American Government at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford. A Fellow of Academia Europaea, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Irish Academy. He has published widely about US politics and comparative politics.

This seminar will take place in person. Please register as places are limited and are available on the first-come, first serve basis.