Essay about The Constitution as A Democratic Document

Upon the opening words of the Constitution, We the PeopleÂ…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America, one must ask, who are these people? While the American Constitution provided its citizens with individual rights, many members were excluded. Elite framers manipulated the idea of a constitution in order to protect their economic interests and the interests of their fellow ‘white land and slave owning men by restricting the voices of women, slaves, indentured servants and others. Therefore, the Constitution cannot truly be considered a democratic document. However, because it is a live document, malleable and controllably changeable according to the interest of congress, it has enabled us to make†¦show more content†¦According to Charles Beard, A majority of the members [of the Constitutional convention] were lawyers by profession. Most of the members came from towns, on or near the coast... Not one member represented in his immediate and personal economic interests the small farming or mechanic [artisan] classes. The overwhelming majority of the members [of the Constitutional convention], at least five-sixths, were immediately, directly, and personally interested in the outcome of their labors at Philadelphia, and were to a greater or lesser extent economic beneficiaries from the adoption of the Constitution. [Of the 54 delegates:] 40 were holders of public securities (holders of Continental and state debt) 24 were creditors (lenders of money) 15 were southern slaveholders 14 were involved in land speculation 11 were involved in manufacturing, commerce, and shipping (Doc S) One of these members included Robert Morris, a wealthy elitist who believed in fact, that perspective of lower classes were invaluable and unimportant and should be ignored. As state governor of Philadelphia, he exercised much political influence. Upon many other framers, he wanted to preserve his wealth. Robert Morris notes that, The time is not distant, when this country shall abound with mechanics [artisans] and manufacturers [industrial workers] who will receive bread from their employers. Will such men be the secure and faithful guardians ofShow MoreRelatedThe Constitution As A Democratic Document1286 Words   |  6 PagesThe Constitution as a Democratic Document Since the ratification of the Constitution, more than 11,000 amendments have been proposed. The Constitution of the United States of America was Officially ratified in 1789. This makes the document over two-hundred years old. Since the time of its writing and eventual ratification, the document has been amended and interpreted in many ways. Whether it be prohibition to the abolition of slavery. The Constitution has been constantly updated over time. ItRead MoreThe Constitution: a Democratic Document?954 Words   |  4 PagesUpon the opening words of the Constitution, We the PeopleÂ…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America, one must ask, who are these people? While the American Constitution provided its citizens with individual rights, many members were excluded. Elite framers manipulated the idea of a constitution in order to protect their economic interests and the interests of their fellow ‘white land and slave owning men by restricting t he voices of women, slaves, indentured servantsRead More1998 Dbq1014 Words   |  5 Pageshaving different perspectives on government and the Constitution. The Democratic Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, were always characterized by following the strict construction of the constitution. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, were characterized by following the broad construction of the constitution. The presidencies of Jefferson and Madison proved this characterization to be somewhat accurate. Although the Democratic Republicans and the Federalists did support theirRead More Jeffersonian Republicans Vs. Federalists Essay1176 Words   |  5 Pagescountry and began to grow and develop into an effective democratic nation, many changes occurred. As the democracy began to grow, two main political parties developed, the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Each party had different views on how the government should be run. Th e Jeffersonian Republicans believed in strong state governments, a weak central government, and a strict construction of the Constitution. The Federalists opted for a powerful central governmentRead MoreHoltons Interpretation Of The FramersDistrust Of Tyranny?1584 Words   |  7 Pagesin Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution that the Framers’ creation of the Constitution represented a â€Å"slur on the capacity of ordinary citizens† to govern themselves by placing the power of the National Government into the hands of the opulent few (Holton, Unruly Americans, 278). Is Holton’s interpretation of the Framers’ intentions equitable, or has he treated the delegates unfairly in neglecting the democratic elements of the document and the Framers’ distrust of tyranny? SectionRead MoreRethinking the Finality of and Democracy in the American Constitution1716 Words   |  7 PagesIs the United States Constitution a sacred and absolute docume nt? Dahl (2001) argued that the Constitution is not perfect or permanent in his book, How Democratic is the American Constitution. He stresses that his main aim is not to propose that the Constitution must be amended, but to facilitate readers in changing how they think about the Constitution. In order to help people rethink the Constitution, Dahl (2001) explained the limitations of its Framers and the Constitution’s not widely known undemocraticRead MoreThe Nigerian Constitution in 1960 Essay1428 Words   |  6 PagesThe Nigerian Constitution in 1960 There appears to be a consensus among the rulers of Nigeria that the countrys Constitution needs review. The review is, in fact, going on and there is not much I can do about that. However, if given the balance of power in the country, a review is the only constitutional development possible at this stage, I would then pay attention to the general character and form of the Constitution rather than its specific contents, which à ± with regards to the power and welfareRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States1632 Words   |  7 Pages Emily Alexander Pima Community College March 9, 2015 The Constitution of the United States After gaining independence from Britain, America was faced with the challenge of creating a new government for the people of the American colonies. The Founding Fathers first created the Articles of Confederation but after much criticism the Founding Fathers met again and created the Constitution of the United States. The Founding Fathers wanted to form a government that was unlike theRead MoreEssay The Rise of Political Parties533 Words   |  3 Pagesthe Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties, which were led by Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, respectively. The rise of political parties was facilitated by general distrust amongst politicians. In document 1, Thomas Jefferson claims that Hamilton is in support of a monarchy. This statement reflects Jeffersons distrust for Hamilton, believing that he is trying to regress America back into a pre-revolution monarchy. Hamilton, on the other hand, states in document 2 that James MadisonRead MoreAnalysis Of The Constitution And The Constitution932 Words   |  4 PagesDahl and the Constitution James Madison and the rest of the Founders of the Constitution undeniably founded a government that has withstood the test of time. The question that Robert Dahl poses in How Democratic Is the American Constitution? is whether this form of government and specifically the Constitution is as democratic as it should be and focuses on the Constitution’s shortcomings. Dahl argues that the constitution is much less democratic than it ought to be. Madison, on the other hand, had