Multigenerational lessons on the Constitution from a Skidmore professor and student
Beau Breslin, professor of and an expert on the U.S. Constitution, has joined forces with Skidmore sophomore Prairie Gunnels ’28 to explore how different generations might frame constitutional priorities today.
Their collaboration is an outgrowth of an introductory-level political science course at Skidmore and builds on Breslin’s book, “A Constitution for the Living: Imagining How Five Generations of Americans Would Rewrite the Nation’s Fundamental Law” (Stanford University Press, 2021). In that work, Breslin reconsiders a debate between Thomas Jefferson and James Madison: Should constitutions endure across centuries, as Madison argued, or should each generation have the chance to rewrite its own, as Jefferson proposed?
Inspired by those questions and additional questions raised in Breslin’s Introduction to American Politics course last spring, Breslin and Gunnels coauthored a series in The Fulcrum — a platform encouraging conversations aimed at fostering democratic practices and values.
Their project, “Following Jefferson: Promoting Intergenerational Understanding Through Constitution-Making,” used artificial intelligence to generate constitutions that reflect principles important to each of America’s seven living generations, from the Greatest Generation to Gen Alpha. Their approach highlights differences across time and points readers back to lessons rooted in the U.S. Constitution itself.
“Using ChatGPT, we generated actual constitutions that reflect the values and priorities of each generation,” Breslin explained. “We have seven separate constitutions, one for each generation, and we’re putting them side-by-side to compare how these documents have evolved.”
Their collaboration highlights the enduring importance of civic dialogue across generations — and the role of teaching, scholarship, and student engagement in keeping America’s constitutional experiment alive.
It’s also an example of how Skidmore faculty and students are using AI in courses, approaching it critically, and anchoring it in a broader Skidmore broader liberal arts education.
“Professor Breslin actively encouraged and taught students how to use Generative AI in a way that would enhance critical thinking and academic engagement,” said Gunnels, who plans to study social work and Spanish at Skidmore. “I learned a great deal from working with him, including how to articulate my thoughts through words on a page, about the evolution of ideas and how interconnected each generation is with one another, and how generative AI can be used in a positive fashion.”
As Constitution Day invites reflection on America’s founding framework, here are a few lessons (among many others) derived from Breslin and Gunnels’ work about the U.S. Constitution and its meaning across generations:
- . The U.S. Constitution has lasted in part because it accommodates debate across differing worldviews over time. Recognizing how each generation emphasizes distinct priorities reminds us that democratic legitimacy depends on ongoing dialogue and civic engagement.
- . Despite generational differences, core values such as liberty, justice, and general welfare remain constant threads in constitutional thinking, echoing the commitments enshrined in the Preamble of 1787.
- . From the separation of powers to checks and balances, the U.S. Constitution’s design has proven remarkably durable. While younger generations may imagine alternative structures, the Madisonian system continues to resonate with Americans and shape their understanding of accountability in government.
- . The Bill of Rights secured fundamental liberties such as speech, religion, and due process. Over time, however, new issues and questions — from environmental stewardship to digital privacy — show how constitutional interpretation must necessarily adapt to meet emerging needs while balancing enduring freedoms.
- . The amendment process is deliberately difficult — a reflection of James Madison’s belief that constitutional change should be rare and approached carefully — and only 27 amendments have been adopted in nearly 240 years. Yet each generation supports making the process more democratic and accountable to the people, highlighting the importance of striking a balance between stability and responsiveness.
- . Foreshadowing the final part of their series (to be published in October), Breslin and Gunnels point toward the critical role of ratification — the process by which “We the People” give consent. From Philadelphia in 1787 to present debates, legitimacy rests not only on the text of a constitution but on the collective agreement to uphold it.
As Skidmore and institutions across the U.S. observe Constitution Day, Breslin and Gunnels’ innovative project invites reflection not only on America’s founding but also on how future generations will sustain and adapt its principles moving forward.
