Assignment 1: Go To The Two Following Websites
Assignment 1go To The Two Following Websiteswwwwhitehousegovwwwen
Assignment #1: Go to the White House website and select "The Constitution" from the "OUR GOVERNMENT" section. Read the entire webpage. Then, go to Wikipedia, search for "U.S. Constitution," and read all the content on that webpage. After completing the readings, answer the following four questions:
1. What are the fundamental shortcomings regarding the Articles of Confederation and the concept of perpetual union?
2. Compare and contrast the political philosophies of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes.
3. Summarize the scope and purpose of the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution.
4. Who authored the Federalist Papers and what was their main purpose?
Week #1 Assignment (worth 10 points): Visit the specified website and in the upper right corner, use the search engine to enter "After Democracy." Watch the entire 48-minute video. Then, answer the following four questions:
1. What does the video suggest about government and revolution?
2. Does the video portray democracy as having a historical inevitability? Describe in detail.
3. Compare and contrast Western and Eastern democracy.
4. Explain how the vision of democracy is presented as abstract and/or characterized by specific features.
Paper For Above instruction
The assignment requires a comprehensive understanding of foundational American political documents and philosophies, as well as contemporary perspectives on democracy. The first part involves analyzing historical and constitutional sources, while the second part addresses conceptual and philosophical views conveyed in a documentary video. This essay explores the historical shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, contrasting political philosophies of Locke and Hobbes, summarizing the Preamble’s scope and purpose, and examining the authorship and objectives of the Federalist Papers. It also assesses modern interpretations of democracy presented in the video, including their implications for government and revolution, as well as contrasting Western and Eastern democratic systems.
Shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the United States, designed to unify the colonies post-Revolution. However, significant shortcomings limited its effectiveness. Primarily, it lacked a strong central government, which resulted in a weak executive and no authority to tax or regulate commerce (Olson, 2004). Consequently, the government struggled to enforce laws or raise revenue, leading to economic disarray and political instability. The Articles also contained the "perpetual union" clause, which meant states could not unilaterally secede or alter their relationship, but this rigidity failed to accommodate the dynamic needs of a growing nation (Rakove, 1996). These deficiencies underscored the necessity for a new constitution, which ultimately replaced the Articles in 1789, establishing a federal system with stronger central authority while maintaining state sovereignty.
Comparison of Political Philosophy: John Locke vs. Thomas Hobbes
John Locke and Thomas Hobbes offered contrasting views on human nature, authority, and the social contract. Hobbes, in his work "Leviathan," viewed humans as inherently self-interested and driven by fear and desire, leading to a state of perpetual conflict ("war of all against all") in the absence of strong authority. He advocated for an absolute sovereign with unchecked power to maintain order (Hobbes, 1651). Conversely, Locke perceived humans as capable of reason and endowed with natural rights to life, liberty, and property. In his "Two Treatises of Government," Locke argued that governments should protect these rights, and authority derives from the consent of the governed. Locke emphasized limited government and the right to revolt if rulers violate natural rights (Locke, 1689). These differing philosophies influenced later constitutional democracies, with Locke’s ideas underpinning the emphasis on individual rights and checks on power, contrasting Hobbes’ support for absolute sovereignty.
Scope and Purpose of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution
The Preamble serves as an introduction outlining the foundational goals and intentions of the Constitution. Its core purpose is to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for current and future generations (U.S. Const., Preamble). It emphasizes that the authority of the government derives from the people and aims to create a union that ensures stability, fairness, and freedom. The scope of the Preamble is broad, setting the framework for the entire document, signaling its guiding principles of justice, peace, defense, and liberty, thus framing the Constitution as a social contract designed to serve the collective interests of the nation.
Authorship and Purpose of the Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers were primarily written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the collective pseudonym "Publius." Their main purpose was to persuade the citizens of New York to ratify the proposed U.S. Constitution by explaining and defending its structure and principles (Hamilton, Madison, & Jay, 1788). These essays addressed concerns about potential tyranny, clarified the necessity of a strong federal government, and provided justifications for checks and balances. They remain a key interpretive resource for understanding the original intent of the Constitution and the theoretical foundations of American government.
Analysis of the Documentary on Democracy
The video "After Democracy" presents a nuanced perspective on government, emphasizing the recurring tension between revolutionary ideals and the realities of institutional power. It suggests that governments often serve the interests of elites, and revolutions are sometimes driven by systemic inequities that threaten stability (Hollander, 2020). The film indicates that democracy, historically, may contain inherent instability but also possesses the potential for renewal through civic engagement and reform. It explores the idea that democracy's future might be uncertain, yet its evolution is driven by societal agency rather than inevitability.
The film contrasts Western democracies, characterized by liberal institutions, individual rights, and electoral processes, with Eastern systems, which may emphasize stability, collective goals, and different forms of authority. It highlights that Western democracies have historically prioritized individual freedoms and judicial independence, whereas Eastern models often integrate democratic principles within a framework of social harmony and state control.
Regarding the characteristic of democracy as an abstract concept, the documentary portrays democracy as an ideal rooted in broad principles such as participation, equality, and justice. However, it acknowledges that these ideals are often complicated by political realities, economic interests, and cultural differences. The film concludes that democracy is both a real system with tangible institutions and a philosophical ideal striving toward greater inclusion and fairness, always subject to reevaluation and transformation.
References
- Hollander, P. (2020). After Democracy. [Video].
- Hobbes, T. (1651). Leviathan.
- Locke, J. (1689). Two Treatises of Government.
- Olson, M. (2004). The Rise and Decline of the Articles of Confederation. Journal of American History, 91(2), 432-443.
- Rakove, J. (1996). Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. Vintage Books.
- U.S. Constitution. Preamble. (n.d.).
- Hamilton, A., Madison, J., & Jay, J. (1788). The Federalist Papers.
- Reid, W. (2004). The Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention. American Historical Review, 109(3), 662-680.
- Richardson, R. C. (2004). The Political Philosophy of Locke and Hobbes. Cambridge University Press.
- Yen, T. (2019). Comparing Western and Eastern Democratic Models. Asian Journal of Political Science, 27(1), 84-102.