Isabella Carter
The US Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified in 1788, is often regarded as the first democratic constitution. It was designed to create a new government of, for, and by the people in the United States, with a system of checks and balances to ensure power was checked and balanced and the people were served and protected. However, the US Constitution was not the first document to outline democratic principles. The concepts of democracy and constitution as a form of government originated in ancient Athens in the 6th century BC, and the Roman Republic is also considered a type of democracy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place | Philadelphia |
| Country | United States |
| Year | 1787 |
| Ratification year | 1788 |
| Type of government | Democracy |
| Type of document | Constitution |
| Number of amendments | 10 |
| Notable contributors | James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution
The document begins with the words "We the People of the United States" and outlines the establishment of a more perfect Union, the importance of justice, domestic tranquility, common defence, general welfare, and securing liberty for the citizens of the United States. It establishes a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives, with the latter being composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the various states.
The Constitution also addresses the legislative powers of Congress, the role of each House in judging elections and qualifications of its members, the rules of proceedings, and the keeping of a journal. Additionally, it mentions the necessary laws for carrying out the powers vested by the Constitution in the US government, including the migration or importation of persons, the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, and the prohibition of bills of attainder or ex post facto laws.
While the US Constitution has been praised for its democratic ideals, it has also faced criticism for its lack of democratic accountability. For instance, the original Constitution did not explicitly grant the right to vote to anyone, leaving voting privileges to the states, which initially granted them to a minority of property-owning white men. Amendments have since been made to extend voting rights to people of color, women, and those over the age of eighteen.
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Democracy in Ancient Greece
The concepts of democracy and constitution as a form of government originated in ancient Athens in the sixth century BC (circa 508 BC). The term "democracy" itself comes from the Greek word "demos", meaning "people". The city states of Ancient Greece, most notably Athens, ruled themselves.
In ancient Greece, there were many city-states with different forms of government. Democracy, or "rule by the demos" (citizen body), was contrasted with governance by elites (aristocracy, or "rule by the best"), by one person (monarchy), by tyrants (tyranny), and so on.
Athens, in the fifth century BC, is widely considered to have been the first state to develop a sophisticated system of rule that we today call democracy. However, in recent decades, scholars have explored the possibility that advancements toward democratic government occurred independently in the Near East, the Indian subcontinent, and elsewhere. For instance, there is evidence of early democratic institutions in the independent "republics" of India, saṅghas and gaṇas, which existed as early as the 6th century BC and persisted in some areas until the 4th century.
In ancient Greece, there were also ""democratic" elements in the Spartan constitution. The Spartans were relatively free to criticize their kings, and they were able to depose and exile them. However, individual freedom was restricted, as Plutarch writes, "no man was allowed to live as he wished", but as in a "military camp" all were engaged in the public service of their polis. Furthermore, the gerousia, or council of elders, effectively maintained the biggest share of power of the various governmental bodies, and the political stability of Sparta meant that no significant changes in the constitution were made.
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The US Constitution and voting rights
The US Constitution, written in Philadelphia, was a groundbreaking document for its time, laying out a written constitution for a large republic based on popular rule. However, it is important to note that the original Constitution did not articulate an affirmative right to vote for anyone. Instead, it left the decision of granting voting privileges to the individual states, which initially granted these privileges to a minority of property-owning white men.
Over time, amendments to the Constitution and federal laws have been made to expand voting rights and make it easier for citizens to exercise their right to vote. The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, granted voting rights to people of colour, and the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age for all elections to 18.
Federal laws, such as the Civil Rights Acts and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, have also played a crucial role in protecting voting rights. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited voter discrimination based on race, colour, or membership in a language minority group. It required certain places to provide election materials in languages other than English and placed limits on states with a history of voter discrimination.
Despite these advancements, critics argue that the Constitution is still not democratic enough. Political scientist Robert Dahl, for example, suggests that the Constitution should derive its legitimacy solely from its utility as an instrument of democratic government. He highlights that if written in more recent times, the Constitution would likely have included an expanded understanding of "the people" and placed fewer barriers to translating majority opinion into public policy.
In conclusion, while the US Constitution has undergone significant changes and amendments to expand voting rights, there are still ongoing debates and efforts to make it more democratic and inclusive.
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The US Constitution and democracy
The US Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified in 1789, is the oldest written constitution that is still in use. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The US Constitution is often called the supreme law of the land, and no law may be passed that contradicts its principles. It is a "living" document that can be amended, although in over 200 years there have only been 27 amendments. The Constitution is organized into three parts: the Preamble, the seven Articles, and the Amendments.
The US Constitution established a Federal democratic republic. It is democratic because the people govern themselves, and it is a republic because the government's power is derived from the people. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III).
The US Constitution is based on the principle of indirect or "representative" democracy, where representatives are chosen by the people to make decisions on their behalf. This system was preferred by the Founding Fathers because it meant that the interests of the people were represented by more knowledgeable or wealthier citizens who were responsible to those who elected them. However, this has led to criticism that the representatives become "elites" who seldom consult ordinary citizens, resulting in a lack of true representation.
While the US Constitution has been influential in shaping American democracy, it is important to note that the word "democracy" is not mentioned in the document itself. This is because the Founders actually feared democratic rule, believing that it could lead to instability, injustice, and confusion. As a result, the original Constitution did not articulate an affirmative right to vote for anyone, leaving voting privileges to the states, which initially granted voting rights only to a minority of property-owning white men. Through amendments to the Constitution, the right to vote has since been extended to people of color, women, and people aged 18 and older.
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The US Constitution and freedom
The US Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified in 1788, is considered a powerful vision of freedom and a remarkable step forward for humankind. It is the world's shortest and oldest national constitution, and its creation was a miracle. The US Constitution was the first written constitution for a large republic based on popular rule, and it put governance in the hands of the people.
The writers of the US Constitution included a process for citizens to amend it over time, recognising that the document should derive its legitimacy from its utility as an instrument of democratic government. The Constitution is difficult to amend, and it is governed by a document written by a small number of slave-owning, wealthy white men. However, it has been amended to extend voting rights to people of colour, women, and those over eighteen. The original Constitution did not articulate a positive right to vote and left voting privileges to the states, which initially granted voting rights to a minority of property-owning white men.
The US Constitution is designed to create a new government of, for, and by the people, with elected representatives to check and balance its power and serve and protect the people. It establishes the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of the US government, outlining their roles, powers, and limitations, as well as the requirements for representatives and judges.
The "Bill of Rights," drafted by James Madison, became the first ten amendments to the Constitution. These amendments include protections for freedom of speech, press, assembly, exercise of religion, the right to bear arms, and the right to petition for redress of grievances, among others. These freedoms and protections are essential to American democracy. The US Constitution, with its focus on freedom and democracy, has inspired the world and changed the trajectory of history.
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Frequently asked questions
The first democratic constitution was written in Philadelphia, USA.
The US Constitution was signed in 1787 and ratified in 1788.
The US Constitution was written by a group of delegates, including James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington.
The US Constitution was the first written constitution for a large republic based on popular rule. It established a new government of, for, and by the people, with checks and balances on power.
The US Constitution consists of three articles. Article I concerns the Legislative branch (Congress), Article II the Executive branch (President), and Article III the Judicial branch (Supreme Court). Amendments to the Constitution include the Bill of Rights, which guarantees various freedoms and protections for citizens.
