Larry Sabato, an American political scientist who graduated from the University of Oxford, recommends a new constitutional convention to revise the current United States constitution to change all three branches of government. The proposals Sabato is offering do not do any good, as this paper proves later. Constitutional amendments can be great in cases like the 14th or 21st, but these proposals would not do anything like that . Sabato’s opinion on how to revise the judicial branch by increasing the number of Supreme Court justices from nine to twelve and adding a Balanced Budget amendment to prevent any deficit spending are good ideas in theory, but in reality, neither would work.…
The political arithmetic of ratification outlined in Stage I of the Ratification story seemed to yield a mixed prognosis. On the one hand, only nine out of thirteen states were needed to ratify the Constitution. On the other hand, two New York delegates left the Constitutional Convention early; two delegates from Virginia refused to sign on September 17, as did one delegate from Massachusetts. The supporters of the Constitution began the ratification campaign in those states where there was little or no controversy, postponing until later the six more difficult states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island. Ben Kunkel has captured this challenge of the political arithmetic of ratification by anticipating…
The emotional and dramatic debates of 1787 initiated an event turning change in the structure of the United States government. The passion of James Madison’s ambition to create an equally powered federal government through the division of government branches have set foot to what the modernized American system is seen today. Rakove elaborates in great detail of the trials and errors which the delegates of the 1787 Convention had to endure. However, without the strenuous debates, contemplating opinions, and theoretical views of the Virginia Plan delegates against the New Jersey Plan delegates, the American nation would fail to stand on the strong values of equal government power. From the various attempts to create an organized federal government power and Constitution, the intentions of the delegates of the 1787 Convention were centered upon the values of theory and philosophy rather than…
The Constitution is designed to provide United States citizens an opportunity to run for office regardless of social standing, the balance of powers contained within prevent any one person or group from controlling the country as a monarch, and compromises within the Bill of Rights guaranteed the rights of the individual. Although Young’s essay explained some of the thoughts behind the writers of the Constitution, Rakove explained the writing and motives in a more insightful manner as to how it directly related to the final draft. His focus was on how the founders’ decisions directly affected the American people and their ability to participate in government, no matter their station in society. The Constitution was written in a time where monarchy was prevalent and the idea of people ruling themselves was considered a foolish experiment that would produce a weak government. Today, the experiment in democracy has proved a success in ours and other nations.…
In “Citizenship In A Republic” by Theodore Roosevelt, he makes a speech to French students about how the quality of the citizens and the ruler in a republic determines whether a nation will succeed or fail and that everyone should go above and beyond what they are asked to do on a daily basis. The purpose of his speech is to not only encourage the students and whoever listened to his speech to be better people in their daily lives, but to go out and participate in life rather than sit back and criticize others on their work as well as help others who are in need. He mentions how the “average citizen must be a good citizen if our republics are to succeed.” Roosevelt is able to make an emotional connection with his listeners because he makes it personal. For example, in the quote mentioned above, he uses the word “our” instead of “your” or “my.”…
Within the time frame situated around the birth of the Constitution, one particular contention repeatedly came to public notice between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists, that is, the greatest question separating the two parties. Is the Constitution in adequate as a result of it not including a bill of rights? Although both parties believed strongly that a preservation of liberties was essential, they still carried very diverse views regarding how strong the central government ought to be. The Constitution is the product of James Madison after many states claimed their wishes for greater constitutional protection over individual rights and liberties. Anti-federalists believed that, unlike the Constitution, a bill of rights would set certain restrictions on the federal government's power.…
In today’s world, it’s hard to always try to get your point across without stepping on somebody’s toes. Whatever you say can be offensive to multiple people, even if you are meaning it in a positive way, somebody will try to look at it in a different way to make you look like the bad person. Some people are more open with being able to complain about something they don’t like while others will wait until someone else takes care of it for them. It can be hard for some people to be comfortable to speak their minds because they are afraid that they will be wrong. What some people don’t understand is the difference between being respectable about giving your ideas or opinions and being an ignorant person about their own views.…
After America’s long journey of seeking freedom from governmental oppression, the newly formed nation was skeptical when it came to the discussion of new government authority. Many Americans were still uneasy about consolidated power, while others were aware of the prevalent national instability caused by the lack thereof. Though, in the end, the Constitution prevailed and has become the cornerstone of American government, the path that led to this enduring document was gradual and filled with apprehension and debate. Both sides of the issue had very clear and valid notions about either their support or opposition to the Constitution, and in the end were able to find common ground through patience and compromise.…
Faith Colbath Extra Credit Thurgood Marshall’s writing, The Constitution; Past and Present, starts out by explaining that the United States will be celebrating the Constitution’s bicentennial that year, 1987. The celebration will not only celebrate the Constitution but also the Founders of the document. Marshall assumes that most of the population will proudly commemorate the Framers for forming a free nation. He was invited to celebrate the historical document and he readily declined the offer.…
The Constitution faced challenges as states argued for representation based on a model most advantageous to their particular population. Smaller states wanted equal representation. They feared that if representation were based on population then larger states could dominate the legislative process. This led to a drafting fix known as the “Great Compromise.” (Beeman, 2009, pp. 199-202)…
The premise of the Constitution is the equality of all peoples governed by it, yet the Presidential voting process puts more power in the hands of select individuals, rather than abide by the resolutions of the plurality of the…
The United States Constitution can be considered a very controversial topic in regards to our government. The Constitution is used to divide power between the federal government and the states. It is used also to protect the individual liberties of the American citizens. In the article The Ratification Referendum by Sanford Levinson, he discusses how the U.S constitution is flawed in many ways. He argues that Americans should have the opportunity to vote on whether congress should draft a new constitution .…
First, why we as American citizens are bound to uphold our constitution? Second, have we had an opportunity to express our views on our constitutional system? Third, how has the constitutional system served our democratic values? Dahl uses the eight chapters in his book to offer plausible answers to the questions he proposes. Dahl begins by outlining the historical roots of the constitution.…
In 1787 delegates from the 12 states met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to follow up on the Annapolis Convention. The delegates ended up starting to write the United States Constitution. The framers of the constitution agreed that the central government needed greater power. By September 1787 the delegates had completed the work of the constitution. On September 17, 1787 the constitution was signed by 39 out of the 42 framers present.…
Free and fair elections—political freedom, and a procedure for the race of every single political delegate known as the Electoral College,.are visual references to fortify the popularity based encapsulation in the constitution. The fundamental ammo that makes the U.S. constitution more law based is the Bill of Rights, which indicates essential standards and practices of popular government, for example, the right to speak freely, and unalienable rights – “god given, or born with rights.” The Articles of Confederation bolstered autonomous statehood in light of the fact that the government had no energy to expense: it relied on upon gifts from the states, who tended to be parsimonious. The favorable position was that the states didn't need to stress over obstruction with their strategies. However the primary issue…