AMERICAN IDEALS and the AMERICAN CONSTITUTION Understanding American Politics Today May 12, 2003

The Constitution of the United States Just what is a constitution?Just what is a constitution? –the formal rules for collective political decision-making –formal limits on what spheres are subject to collective political decisions

The Constitution of the United States Just what is a constitution?Just what is a constitution? What is the main thrust of the American Constitution?What is the main thrust of the American Constitution? –protecting against the tyrannical use of power by government

The Constitution of the United States n Just what is a constitution? n What is the main thrust of the American Constitution? n How to Protect Against the Tyrannical Use of Power by the Executive? –make it accountable to the people –limit what it can do n How to Limit What a Government Can Do? –legal prohibitions –fragmenting power

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPDENDENCE (1776) “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it...”

The Constitution of the United States of America (1787) “We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The US Constitution the constitution of the Constitutionthe constitution of the Constitution – seven articles ( ) – first ten amendments -- the Bill of Rights (1791) – seventeen additional amendments ( )

The US Constitution function of the Constitutionfunction of the Constitution – creates the three branches of government at the federal level – creates the two orders of government (federal government and state governments) – limits governments in their relationships with citizens

1.) Establishing the Three Branches of Government Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances

Legislates, Controls Budget, Approves Nominations and Treaties, Override Veto, Impeach Confirms Nominations, Impeach Nominates Judges VETO! Declare Laws Unconstitutional Declare Acts Unconstitutional

2.) Establishing the Two Orders of Government -- Federalism Why Have a Federal Government?Why Have a Federal Government? – practical reasons – philosophical reasoning Why Maintain State Governments?Why Maintain State Governments? – practical reasons – philosophical reasoning Orders of Government vs. Levels of GovernmentOrders of Government vs. Levels of Government

3.) Limits on Government Bill of RightsBill of Rights –the first Ten Amendments (1789) –“Congress shall make no law...”

Amending the Constitution (Article V) Methods of Amending the ConstitutionMethods of Amending the Constitution – Proposing Amendments... 2/3 of both Houses of Congress 2/3 of both Houses of Congress or 2/3 of state legislatures or 2/3 of state legislatures – Ratifying Amendments... 3/4 of states (either by the state legislature or special convention) 3/4 of states (either by the state legislature or special convention)

Recent Amendments/Proposals for Amendment 27th Amendment (1992) -- Congressional Pay27th Amendment (1992) -- Congressional Pay Equal Rights AmendmentEqual Rights Amendment Term Limits AmendmentTerm Limits Amendment Flag AmendmentFlag Amendment Gun Control...revising the 2nd AmendmentGun Control...revising the 2nd Amendment Balanced Budget AmendmentBalanced Budget Amendment

Assessing the American Constitutional Framework (...from a democratic perspective) bicameral legislaturebicameral legislature indirectly elected president (e.g. electoral college)indirectly elected president (e.g. electoral college) unelected Supreme Courtunelected Supreme Court separation of powers/checks and balancesseparation of powers/checks and balances federalismfederalism formal limits on the powers of governmentformal limits on the powers of government rigid constitutionrigid constitution

Democracy -- Protection of Individual Rights Low (Emphasis on General Welfare) High Protection of Individual Rights UNITED STATES

Final Point... American Constitution grounded in emphasis on rights of individual and limits on governmentAmerican Constitution grounded in emphasis on rights of individual and limits on government American emphasis on mass political participation emerged out of American political context, political culture and political practiceAmerican emphasis on mass political participation emerged out of American political context, political culture and political practice