99% Invisible

Constitution Breakdown #8: Jill Lepore

March 27, 2026·1h 6m·7-min readinterviewhistory
Podzilla Summary (7 min)
TLDR
Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution, designed to allow peaceful amendment as an alternative to revolution, has become functionally obsolete due to political polarization and judicial originalism, yet the history of both successful and failed amendments reveals the evolving aspirations of A

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Guest

J

Jill Lepore

interview on 99% Invisible

Mentions

Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.

People

Jill LeporeRoman MarsElizabethBirch BayhDavid J. MaysRobert BorkMartin Diamond

Books

We the Peopleby Jill LeporeThese Truthsby Jill LeporeDemocracy 2076

Topics

American HistoryCivil Rights HistoryHistory Of ScienceLong Form JournalismUs Politics

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