Ideologies and Writing the U.S Constitution - Essay Example

Ideologies and Writing the U.S Constitution Introduction The years that preceded the framing and drafting of the U.S constitution, saw the American people, including the Founding Fathers, endure a long, bloody revolution in order to attain political independence from colonial Britain. The founding fathers and many American people were of the belief that the British was slowly stripping them off their rights legally[Har09]. These and the belief that the colonizer was overstepping its mandate when dealing with its colonies were the motivating factors that lead to war for independence. As a result, those framing and drafting the constitution had in mind the need to make sure that the constitution did not allow the government to perpetrate similar injustices. In addition to the role the founding fathers played in American Revolution, they are credited with the development of the constitution[Max03]. However, most of the principles and ideologies that guided the development of the constitution are not in entirety considered radical all new. As a matter of fact, there are many different factors that contributed to the content of the constitution; these include contemporary political ideology, historical precedence and the American Revolution experiences[Wil01]. Ideally, the issue of limited government was not novel at the time the Constitution was being development. Most of the founding fathers, the framers, considered precedence in early Roman republic of using checks and balances to ensure tyranny does not occur. Additionally, the works of several early thinkers also profoundly influenced the founding fathers[War67]. Despite all these, there has been extensive debate with regard to what the intent of the founding father-the framers of the constitution-was. According to James Madison-the father of the Constitution-attaining a stable and consistent government was not possible without understanding of the intent of the founding fathers[Har09]. This paper, therefore, sets out to interrogate and analyze some of the principles sand ideologies that the founding fathers-the framers-considered when they drafted and framed the Constitution, which aims at protecting the future of U.S citizens, interests of the state at large and the federalists concerns. Comparative Analysis Social Contract One of the ideas that founded the American political system is the idea of the social contract. The ideology is founded on the conviction that the government and the state are mandated with the responsibility of serving the citizens of that country[Har09]. This means that the government and state should always endeavor to follow the will of the people. In this light, the citizens are the source of all the authority and power that politicians and the state enjoy. The people have the right to withhold or give this power to various institutions within that country. This philosophy is rooted back to Plato’s writing and has significantly been expanded by Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher [Cro80]. Classical Liberalism The American governance is also featured highly by the concept of classical liberalism. This political ideology promotes the liberties of the individual and limited government. This philosophy is in direct relation to the rule of law, and it emphasizes economic freedom[Har09]. This shows that the Founding Fathers were also concerned about the future of the citizens of United States. It is in this respect that they incorporated in the constitution a space for classical liberalism. To this day, America is one of the most liberalized countries in the world. Pluralism The political system of the United States is also highly featured by pluralism. This means that the political class should be there for the rights of the suffrage. This is in line with the constitution because the Founding Fathers had identified the need for ensuring that the administration was set in accordance with the interest of the suffrage. Democratically, pluralism is considered one of the key features in politics[Max03]. Pluralism is one of the key features of democracy because it advocates for the peaceful existence of diverse interests, lifestyles, and convictions. The constitution was founded on the certainty that there would be various kinds of people living in the country in the future. Elitism Another political ideology that is noteworthy of considering is that of elitism. The constitution was against elitism and was for pluralism. Elitism is a political ideology whereby the views of the wealthy people, the learned, and those of higher social status are considered before public policy is implemented than those of low social status[Cro80]. This was against the ideals of the constitution. The Founding Fathers had identified the need for pluralism against elitism. This would pay a significant role in ensuring that the interest of different classes of people from different backgrounds would be taken care of by the government. Federalism The constitution of the United States advocated for a federal government although there were some people who were opposing the federal government system. The Founding Fathers identified that there were a number of benefits that would be derived from a federal government[Har09]. One of the benefits is that a federal system makes certain that the government is close to the citizen. This is because the state government is more aware of the needs of the citizens than the national government. The country is also offered the chance of becoming evenly developed. However, the most crucial aspect of a federal government is that it tackles the dominance of the elite and majority[War67]. Anti-Federalism In the same respect, the anti-federalists feared that a federal government would lead to a situation where there is duplication of the administration. Duplication can lead to inefficiency and the introduction and implementation of contradictory policies in different jurisdictions[War67]. There was also the fear that a federal government would contribute to inequality between different states. This would initiate competition that was not healthy for the national economy. The federalists also feared that there would be the consequence of corruption that would be a direct result of over-government. Constitution Perspective In the perspective of the constitution, the Founding Fathers had identified that there was a need of ensuring that the country was stable and prosperous in the future. Although some of the facets of the constitution would be hard to implement at the time such as the issue of slavery, the founding fathers had identified that there was a desire for the nation to be prepared for the inevitable changes that would affect the country[Wil01]. This is the reason why they wrote a constitution that dealt on the factors, which would be beneficial for the country in the future. The constitution was geared towards ensuring that the administration would uniformly serve all citizens, and that, there were no groups that were left out of the administration’s policy formulation. Bill of Rights The constitution was also concerned about the individual rights of the citizens. This is attributed to the fact that the constitution had identified that everybody was born equal. The Founding Fathers had also been tired of a king being installed and being recognized as being the chosen king. Although there was still the issue of slavery during the drafting and framing of the constitution, the framers were convinced that, in the future, the nation would be a dwelling place to diversify people from diversified races and diversified religions[Max03]. This is the reason why they installed the Bill of Rights so that everybody could freely enjoy the freedoms and rights that the country had to offer. Solutions to the Reform Debate During the drafting and framing of the constitution, there were a number of issues that faced the Founding Fathers. These issues included the diversity that the country had. It is noteworthy to put into the mind that there were different states in confederation America and all of them looked after some interests of their own. It is also noteworthy that the Founding Fathers though convinced that everybody was born equal, and with some inalienable rights, the economy of the country would be dependent on slaves[Cro80]. There were a number of solutions that were needed to solve various constitutional problems. Some of the tribulations would have to be resolved through immediate reformation. There were problems that the constitution would have to lay a solid foundation for their solutions. One of the solutions that were applied by the Founding Fathers is Federalism. The concept of federalism is also referred to as State’s Rights. The Framers of the Constitution forecasted that the different states that formed the Confederation would require some amount of strength, as well as a definite political bid[Max03]. They also identified that the states would need to be unified by a single administration. This is the reason why they settled for a federal system of government. They identified that the country would need to allow the different states to have the authority to administer them[Cro80]. However, in order to retain the unity of the states, there was the need for the creation of a central government. While the central government was mandated to administer policies that were affecting the entire country, the state governments were mandated to formulate policies that were protected the welfare of their own citizens. This has been the norm even today where the states have their own laws and Legislations. There is also the federal government, which ensures that, policies that affect the entire country are implemented. Although for the country to remain United would have meant doing away with the states, there was some problems that would have erupted. The Framers had also figured that after the country gained independence the sovereign country, would expand its territories because there were vast regions in the west that was not governed. This meant that the framers had rightly forecasted the country’s west expansion. With the states, the government would have to reserve some powers to the state governments. The concept of States’ rights in the United States was an element of the constitution. This concept means that the various states that comprise the United States have some political powers reserved for them. These political powers cannot be overstepped by the federal government. The Tenth Amendment protects the States’ rights. A supreme clause in the constitution of the United States indicates that there must be a balance between the authority of the different states and the powers of the central administration[War67]. However, this has changed where the laws that have been adopted by the central government overrun those that have been adopted by the states. This is highly critical because with states having powers that exceed the federal government, there could be the possibility of states enacting extremely radical laws that would jeopardize the stability and security of the country. Some of the shortcomings that have most probable been derived from this stand include, some states trying to gain sovereignty from the United States. In the 1930s, there was also the solution of cooperative federalism. Cooperative federalism is a concept whereby the central administration, the state administration, and the local government operate cooperatively to handle some of the pressing issues[Har09]. This was a provision that was allowed from the initial constitution but was effective from the 1930s. There have been various answers that have been established in the country through cooperative federalism. In the 19th century, some of the solutions that have been found were concerning various issues like currency, patents, copyrights, foreign policy, immigration law, public lands disposal, tariffs, subsidies, and internal improvements. In such issues as immigration, the federal government has to consult with other levels of governments that are directly affected by the issue of immigration. This means that the states’ government will identify the problems that they face with immigration and come up with proposals for the federal government. This is particularly so in states like California, Florida, and Texas where there are various concerns of illegal immigrants. The government of California has to liaise, with the central administration, to come with measures that will ensure that the issue of immigration is in line with the two levels of government. Cooperative federalism is also critical in issues that arise from the foreign policy[Har09]. This means that governments have to identify different laws that will ensure that governments are not adversely affected by the foreign policy of the country. This is because some foreign policies may be detrimental to the trade and commerce industry of states in the United States. It is in this respect that governments have to come to a neutral ground favoring all the states and the federal economy. There must be a consensus between different state governments that will ensure that the foreign policy does not interfere with the legal features of different states. Conclusion The constitution of the United States was framed and drafted in such a way that various amendments could be enacted. These amendments were to cater for the changes that the country would have to go through in the future. Although many historians have argued that the constitution was drafted to give the country an economical edge after independence from British colonialism, there have been a number of problems that have been solved through the initial constitutions and the amendments that the constitution had provided for in the future. The Founding Fathers had identified that the country would go through tremendous changes. The country has been an exceptionally stable country in terms of politics and economy. As the country developed through the economic and political changes and challenges that were evident throughout the centuries, the constitution has continued to give a guiding direction of how the country will handle the challenges and changes. This has played a crucial function in making certain that the United States remains united. The amendments that have been enacted have allowed the different administrations to handle current day-to-day issues. The Founding Fathers also had anticipated that the U.S. would become home to various groups of people from diverse backgrounds. Works Cited Har09: , (Harris and Tichenor 98), Max03: , (Edling 107), Wil01: , (Adams 77), War67: , (Warren 102), Har09: , (Harris and Tichenor 174), Har09: , (Harris and Tichenor 204), Cro80: , (Crosskey 98), Har09: , (Harris and Tichenor 196), Max03: , (Edling 165), Cro80: , (Crosskey 106), Har09: , (Harris and Tichenor 214), War67: , (Warren 121), War67: , (Warren 124), Wil01: , (Adams 147), Max03: , (Edling 142), Cro80: , (Crosskey 167), Max03: , (Edling 128), Cro80: , (Crosskey 214), War67: , (Warren 95), Har09: , (Harris and Tichenor 188), Har09: , (Harris and Tichenor 270), Read More