Center for Statesmanship, Law, and Liberty

RIT’s Center for Statesmanship, Law, and Liberty will enhance the understanding of statesmanship as the apex of political greatness and explore its role in a free, democratic republic under the rule of law.

The non-partisan Center will support scholarship, teaching, research, and student-centered learning related to statesmanship, liberty, and constitutionalism as they pertain primarily to the American regime. It will consider the interplay between America’s political culture and its leaders, ideas, and institutions. It will explore those cultural forces that may aid or impair statesmanship in our time. Programming will engage a broad community of students (including high school and college students), citizens, scholars, teachers, professionals, and public officials.

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6th Annual Teacher’s Symposium,
June 8-11, 2023

Pillar’s of American Statesmanship: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass

View details about AP Day 2023

Purpose

The center has been formed to promote an understanding of the crucial role of statesmanship in founding, perpetuating, and enhancing a free society under the rule of law.

As the Founders of the American republic well realized, this aim depends upon the ability to cultivate both responsible citizens and statespeople capable of meeting future political, economic, and social challenges. The center understands the concept of statesmanship as a universal norm that is inclusive of race, gender, creed, and color. It will consider the meaning of political greatness and assess critically norms used to evaluate past, present, and future political leadership.

The center will provide a central location for the study of statesmanship; provide resources and support for faculty and students engaged in the study, research, and writing on statesmanship; conduct colloquia, workshops, and seminars that enrich the public’s understanding of statesmanship; work with students and programs to facilitate and coordinate research projects on statesmanship; and, provide outreach and educational opportunities to civic leaders, professionals, and secondary level school teachers and students for learning about statesmanship.