Lessig on Institutional Corruption—Congress: The Paradigm Case
UChicago Division of the Humanities
In this inaugural lecture of the the Randy L. and Melvin R. Berlin Family Lecture Series, Lawrence Lessig explores the concept of "institutional corruption" using the paradigm case: Congress. Few institutions better illustrate the concept of “institutional corruption.” Congressional campaigns are financed through private donations. If done openly, this process allows for influence that is both legal and ethical. But as Lawrence Lessig argues, how this particular pattern of funding evolved radically undermines the capacity of Congress to serve its purpose. This is the first lecture in a five week series presented in the autumn of 2014 at the University of Chicago. Named for Randy L. and Melvin R. Berlin, the Berlin Family Lectures bring leading scholars, writers, and creative artists from around the world to the University of Chicago. Each visitor offers an extended series of lectures with the aim of interacting with the university community and developing a book for publication with the University of Chicago Press. Learn more at http://berlinfamilylectures.uchicago​.
