Omar Bennett
The phrase do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America is a powerful statement found in the Preamble to the US Constitution. The Preamble sets the context for the Constitution, declaring the intentions of its framers and the purpose of the document. The phrase emphasizes that the Constitution is created by and for the people of the United States, underscoring the principle of popular sovereignty. It signifies that the government derives its power from the consent of the governed and outlines its purposes, such as ensuring justice, promoting welfare, and securing liberty. This statement underscores the active role of citizens in shaping their own governance and marks the authority of the governmental framework.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is adopting the Constitution | We the People of the United States |
| Why it is being adopted | To form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity |
| Who is enacting the Constitution | The people of the United States |
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What You'll Learn
The people made the Constitution
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is an important statement that sets the context for the Constitution and outlines the intentions of its framers. The opening phrase, "We the People," emphasizes that the Constitution is created by and for the people of the United States, establishing the principle of popular sovereignty. This means that the government's power is derived from the consent of the governed.
The phrase "do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America" is a powerful statement that underscores the active role of citizens in forming their own governance. By using the term "ordain," the framers express that the people are actively creating and legitimizing the Constitution, rather than having it imposed upon them. It signifies that the people give the Constitution its power and outlines the purposes of the government, such as ensuring justice, promoting general welfare, and securing liberty for current and future generations.
The Preamble continues to articulate these purposes, stating that the people of the United States are adopting the Constitution "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." These basic principles guide the understanding and interpretation of the Constitution and emphasize the foundational role of citizens in shaping their government.
The Preamble is not a source of government power or individual rights, but it does declare who is enacting the Constitution—the people of the United States. It is a collective enactment of all US citizens, and the document is, in a sense, "owned" by the people. This statement in the Preamble underscores the importance of citizen participation in governance and the foundational role of the citizens in shaping their government.
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The people give it power
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is an introduction to the highest law of the land. It sets the stage for the Constitution, outlining the intentions of its framers and the purpose of the document. The Preamble is widely cited in legal arguments and discussions about the founders' intentions.
The phrase "do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America" is a powerful statement found in the Preamble. It emphasizes that the Constitution is created by and for the people of the United States. The use of the term "ordain" expresses that the people are actively creating and legitimizing the Constitution, rather than having it imposed upon them.
The Preamble underscores the principle of popular sovereignty, signifying that the government's power is derived from the consent of the governed. It establishes that the Constitution is "owned" by the people, not the government, and that the citizens have an active role in forming their own governance. This is further reinforced by the opening phrase of the Preamble, "We the People," which declares that the authority of the Constitution rests with the people.
The Preamble also outlines the basic values and purposes of the government, such as ensuring justice, promoting general welfare, and securing liberty for current and future generations. These values guide the interpretation and application of the specific powers listed in the articles of the Constitution. The people, through their representatives, also have the power to make changes to the Constitution through the amendment process established in Article V.
In summary, the phrase "do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America" underscores the fundamental principle that the people give power to the Constitution. It emphasizes popular sovereignty, the active role of citizens in governance, and the democratic nature of the United States government.
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The people are sovereign
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is an introduction to the highest law of the land. It sets the context for the Constitution and outlines the intentions of its framers. The opening phrase, "We the People," asserts the sovereignty of the people and underscores that the Constitution is created by and for the people of the United States. It emphasizes that the government derives its power from the consent of the governed.
The phrase "do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America" is a powerful statement within the Preamble. By using the term "ordain," the framers convey that the people are actively creating and legitimizing the Constitution, rather than having it imposed upon them. It signifies that the people are the stewards of the Constitution and remain responsible for its interpretation and continued existence. This phrase underscores the principle of popular sovereignty, highlighting that the Constitution is owned by the people, not the government.
The Preamble articulates the purposes of the government, including ensuring justice, promoting general welfare, and securing liberty for current and future generations. It establishes the foundation of the government's authority and outlines its basic values. The Preamble is not a source of government power or individual rights, but it guides the understanding and interpretation of the Constitution. It serves as a reminder of the active role of citizens in shaping their government and the democratic nature of the United States.
The people's sovereignty is further demonstrated in the amendment process established in Article V of the Constitution. Citizens and their representatives have the power to make changes to the Constitution, reinforcing the idea that the people are the ultimate authority in the nation's governance. The Preamble, with its famous opening line, "We the People," sets the tone for a Constitution that is by and for the people of the United States, establishing their sovereignty and active participation in the country's democratic processes.
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The US is a democracy
The phrase "do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America" is a powerful statement found in the Preamble to the US Constitution. The Preamble sets the stage for the Constitution, introducing the intentions of its framers and the document's purpose. It emphasizes that the Constitution is created "by the people and for the people", establishing the fundamental principle of popular sovereignty. This underscores the active role of citizens in shaping their own governance and granting it power, marking a departure from monarchical or theocratic forms of government.
The Preamble outlines key objectives, including establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing liberty for citizens and future generations. These goals reflect the values that should guide the interpretation and application of the Constitution. The use of the term "'ordain" highlights that the people are actively creating and legitimizing the Constitution, rather than it being imposed upon them.
The US Constitution, with its preamble, reinforces the country's democratic nature. The document is collectively enacted by all US citizens, who are the ultimate stewards of the Constitution. It outlines the structure and powers of Congress, the court system, and the principles that guide the nation. The Constitution's ratification by the states further solidified its position as the "supreme Law of the Land," binding all representatives and officials to uphold it.
The US Constitution's preamble and its interpretation as a democratic framework are essential in understanding the country's governance. The phrase "do ordain and establish" underscores the active participation of citizens in creating a government that serves and represents them. This democratic foundation has been a guiding force in shaping the nation's laws, policies, and values. The US Constitution, with its preamble, has played a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining the country's democratic ideals.
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The preamble is an introduction
The preamble starts with the words, "We the People", signifying that the government's power is derived from the consent of the governed. It emphasizes that the Constitution is created by and for the people of the United States, establishing the foundation of the government's authority. The phrase "do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America" is considered one of the strongest statements in the Preamble. It underscores the active role of citizens in forming their government and gives them ownership of the Constitution.
The preamble sets out the Founding Fathers' intentions for creating the Constitution and what they hoped to achieve. It articulates the purposes of the government, such as ensuring justice, promoting general welfare, and securing liberty for current and future generations. The preamble also includes the famous statement, "Establish Justice", which means to establish the rule of law and ensure equality for all before the law, regardless of status or wealth.
The preamble is a crucial part of the Constitution as it provides context, declares the enactment of the provisions that follow, and guides the understanding and interpretation of the Constitution. It is a reminder of the foundational role of citizens in shaping their government and underscores the principle of popular sovereignty.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase is from the Preamble to the United States Constitution, which sets the context for the Constitution and is widely cited in legal arguments and discussions about the intentions of the founders.
The phrase emphasizes that the Constitution is created by and for the people of the United States, and that it is the people who give it power. It conveys the principle of popular sovereignty, meaning that the government's power derives from the consent of the governed.
The phrase is a strong statement that underscores the active role of citizens in forming their own governance. It marks the authority of the governmental framework and serves as a reminder of the foundational role of citizens in shaping their government.
