February 04, 2009 C-SPAN

A panel of authors who have written books about the American Constitution debated U.S. foreign policy and how the government should interpret the laws regarding war. Among the topics they discussed were the congressional power to declare war in article 1, section 8; the use of force abroad; and the limited use of the declaration in the history of the United States. Following their discussion, they responded to questions and comments from members of the audience. Jeffrey S. Brand moderated the panel.

Gordon Silverstein is the author of Imbalance of Powers: Constitutional Interpretation and the Making of American Foreign Policy, published by Oxford University Press. Peter Irons is the author of War Powers: How the Imperial Presidency Hijacked the Constitution; published by Metropolitan Books. John Yoo is the author of The Powers of War and Peace: Foreign Affairs and the Constitution After 9/11, published by University Of Chicago Press.

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