Constitution Introduction Constitution Intro cont Goals Foundations Features

Constitution: Introduction

Constitution: Intro cont. § Goals: Foundations, Features & Impacts. § Chronology of events, constitutional development & basic features– the focus of text. § Lecture focus: 3 elements related to Constitution. 1. Video 1: Elegance & Simplicity & Relevance: Your Views & Everyday Events– i. e. , it’s continuing influence. 2. Video #2: Reflection of Economics, Politics & Principles – i. e. , a lot of Elitism, Pluralism & Philosophy, but not much traditional democracy 3. Video #3: Amendments & Change

Simplicity & Elegance • Appendix B. Take a look & read carefully. (Your quiz is on mostly on key elements). • Short document- about 8700 words total. – Average state constitution = 26, 000. ØCalifornia = 75, 000 words, 110 pages ØAlabama = 372, 000+ words (6 th version) – Brevity flexibility & wide range of interpretation. (How do you read: “general welfare” or “necessary & proper” clauses? ) – Key factor in staying relevant

Relevance • 1787 long time ago… but Constitution impacts government powerfully. – Foundation document that still drives politics. üA look through the news of the day üSupreme Court: apply it to current controversies! üLonger term: two party structure, inefficient policy making, state power üEven for you: university is a state institution; no national standards. Why? üConstitution silent on education.

Creating the U. S. Constitution: Economic, Political & Philosophical Influences The Purpose: Not to review the specifics of the Constitution, but to understand the intellectual context the created it. Your responsibility: Learn the majors sections of the Constitution from your text (ch. 2) & Constitution (Appdx. B)

�Beyond Mythology & Divine Intent ◦ Economic Self-Interest View: Beard’s “An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution” ◦ Four Questions: �Were the Framer’s elites? Yes. �Did they think like elites? Yes. �Did circumstances threaten the elites? Yes. �Did the new Constitution protect them? Yes. ◦ Counter-arguments: Constitution: Economic Perspective

� Two Meanings of 1. Hardball Politics Power Politics – Ends Justify the Means 2. Necessary Compromises: The Good, the Bad & The Ugly ◦ The Good: Great Compromise: Big states vs. small states �Virginia & New Jersey Plans ◦ The Bad (1): Electoral College: What on earth were they thinking? ◦ The Bad(? ): Voter Qualification – The Art of No Compromise ◦ The Ugly: Three-fifths compromise – status of slaves Constitution: Realist Power Politics Perspective

� Forging a Stronger Nation � Liberal Political Philosophy ◦ Social contract theory – limited government ◦ Republicanism – consent of the Governed ◦ Unalienable Rights ◦ Protection from Tyranny � Practical Steps to Implementing Philosophy ◦ Separation of power ◦ Checks & balances ◦ Federalism ◦ Republic form of Government: elections for House ◦ Bill of Rights: Promise to guarantee ratification Constitution: Politics of Principles – Big Ideas in Play

A. B. Criticisms: 1. Too little equality 2. Too many restrictions… next lecture “Breakthroughs”: 1. 2. 3. 4. Rejecting special privileges & inherited prerogatives Guaranteed each state have republican form of govt Ratification by popularly elected conventions in states More representative than Articles of Confederation—no equivalent to House of Reps 5. Gave mechanism for “sense of the people” in presidential elections. Constitution: Reflections

�Amendment Process ◦ Proposing Amendments ◦ Ratifying Amendments ◦ History of Amendments �Other Methods of Change: ◦ Judicial Interpretation– “living document” ◦ Political & Social Developments ◦ Presidents: increasingly unilateral action Changing the Constitution

�Is this sufficient? ◦ As relevant as it is, no nation in the world emulates it. �Your assignment: Make it more relevant by adding a thoughtful amendment �Debating reform of amending ◦ Your own Amendments – offer at our “convention” Changing: Amending?