THE ORIGINS OF AMERICAN POLITICAL PRINCIPLES American Political Development APD Focus The Framers Approach to Form a Stable and Just Government 2011 Taylor amp Francis Introduction ID: 209060
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Chapter 1THE ORIGINS OF AMERICAN POLITICAL PRINCIPLES
American Political Development (APD) Focus: The Framers’ Approach to Form a Stable and Just Government
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IntroductionOne mode of developing a political system is via a constitution.
“Constitutionalism may be defined as a structure for preserving or enhancing [a regime], a statement of the way people should treat each other, and the values that form the basis for the people’s working relationship, as well as the serious, remaining problems in the political order”
(Lutz, 1988, p. 3).
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IntroductionThe Founders of the U.S.
federal government relied upon the teachings of the past. Ancient, medieval, and Early Modern History guided the Framers in an attempt to establish a new form of government and to helped solidify their opposition to the existing confederacy. © 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide4
The AncientsBeginning with Plato's Republic, political scientists have examined the origin, nature, and design of the state to promote the common good of a community.
The governors and the governed are subject to the rule of law as well as the desire to promote the common good.© 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide5
The AncientsBoth
Plato’s and Aristotle’s reliance on the virtuous, educated, and efficacious elite influenced the Founders. Democratic government could degenerate into
mobocracy
and therefore aristocratic institutions (a President, Senate) should be included within the structure of the federal government.
To check a despotic ruler or rulers, an appeal to the will of the people should also be instituted in a lower house, specifically the House of Representatives.
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The AncientsAristotle’s impact on the Framers is apparent in his concept of polity in which a combination of democracy and oligarchy and a system of checks and balances are built
and addressed in each institution of the federal government. © 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide7
The AncientsThe influences of the Romans on American government may be seen in the establishment of republican principles:
limited and mixed government comprised of representatives elected by an informed citizenry© 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide8
The Middle AgesThe impact of this era provided a guide on what not to do.Led the Founders to conclude that there should be a separation of church and state.
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The EnlightenmentThe decline of religious authority dominating
in the Middle Ages led to a transitional period.Leads political philosophers and the Founding Fathers to think about how best to balance order and freedom with the rise of secularism. © 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide10
The Renaissance—MachiavelliMachiavelli proposed that religion could be used as a tool to provide order and stability. Thus, church could serve the state and not the other way around.
Political institutions could be used to promote individualism in society.© 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide11
The Enlightenment—HobbesThomas Hobbes sought to suppress individual self-interest by establishing an absolute sovereign, the leviathan, who had final arbitration concerning all disputes guided by the rule of law.
Hobbes’ influence on political development is akin to Machiavelli: individuals can only achieve their potential through a government structured to mediate human passions.
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The Enlightenment—LockeProbably the greatest influence on American political development was the writings of John Locke. Men form the social contract out of a mutual agreement among individuals.
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The Enlightenment—LockeAccording to Locke, the paramount role of government is to protect inalienable rights of all free men:
lifelibertypropertyThese concepts along with limited government comprise the tenets of classical liberalism.
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The American ColoniesCharlestown-Boston Church covenant of 1630 The origin of American constitutionalism was based on religious convictions enumerated within church charters such as this.
In this document, the church is created as a social contract to support living in a manner according to God's rules. © 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide15
The American ColoniesThe Mayflower Compact of 1620 the first document to create a government based upon the approval of the governed instead of a religious order.
The Charlestown-Boston Church covenant initiated the first modern constitution, the Plymouth Agreement. © 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide16
The American Colonies“The
Combinations of the Inhabitants Upon the Piscataqua River for Government, 1641” Instead, advancing the philosophy that the will of the people is supreme:
governing was based upon the decisions of the polity rather than the church.
the compact demonstrates that the colonists relied upon popular sovereignty as the basis for government and not a monarchy.
the impetus of American constitutionalism emerged through the conviction to popular sovereignty and representation in government.
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The Fundamental Orders of ConnecticutEstablished a confederation where power was divided between independent towns and a General Court which represented the aggregate community.
This political structure greatly influenced American constitutionalism in two distinct fashions. The first instance of federalism in American government. Therefore, dual citizenship may permit an inhabitant of a state to also be a citizen of the United States of America.
Instituted a bicameral legislature consisting of members who were elected directly by the people and others who were elected by fellow representatives. The
U.S.
Constitution of 1789 would incorporate legislative bicameralism to ensure state and popular sovereignty.
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Regional SubculturesRegional differences affected American constitutionalism.
Three American subcultures: the moralistic culture of the Northeast, the individualism characterizing the Mid-Atlantic colonies and
the paternalistic nature of the South,
Influenced the structure of the American federal government by supporting states’ rights.
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The American ColoniesThe original state constitutions possessed similar features.
The original eighteen colonial constitutions contained a bicameral legislaturepopular elections of the lower house and governor property requirements to hold public office (Lutz, 1988)
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The American ColoniesThe basis of our government may be viewed as a culmination of
religious covenantslocal compactsregional differencesand political philosophies
These influences together with a developing American character transformed a confederacy of colonies into a republic composed of independent states to form the oldest, existing democracy in the
world—The
United States of America.
© 2011 Taylor & Francis