What Is Your Opinion On This Issue? ✓ Solved

What is your opinion on this issue?

Your task is to write an essay discussing whether the United States needs a new constitution or if its citizens should continue to adapt their ideas and values to the existing document. You should include three reasons supporting your stance and develop each reason in the essay body.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The debate over the adaptability and adequacy of the United States Constitution is ongoing, with arguments centered on whether the document is sufficiently inclusive and flexible or outdated and flawed. This essay advocates for maintaining the current Constitution, emphasizing that its foundational principles remain relevant and adaptable through amendments and interpretation. Three primary reasons support this stance: the Constitution's inherent flexibility via amendments, its foundational role in American democracy, and the capacity of its interpretation to evolve with societal changes.

First, the U.S. Constitution was intentionally designed as a living document, allowing for amendments that respond to societal evolution. Since its ratification in 1788, it has been amended 27 times, reflecting changes in social, political, and economic conditions. The Bill of Rights, added shortly after ratification, guaranteed fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and due process, exemplifying constitutional flexibility (Kurland & Brierly, 1981). This adaptability ensures the Constitution remains relevant without requiring a complete overhaul, which could risk destabilizing the legal and political order.

Second, the Constitution's enduring role as the foundation of American governance lends stability and continuity to the nation’s political system. It establishes the framework for government institutions, delineates the separation of powers, and enshrines the rule of law (Levinson, 2004). This stability is crucial for economic confidence, national security, and civil liberties. Maintaining the current Constitution while reforming its interpretation and application preserves this stability while accommodating societal progression through judicial review and legislative amendments.

Third, the adaptability of constitutional interpretation by courts and lawmakers ensures that the existing document can evolve alongside societal values. Judicial review, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803), allows courts to interpret the Constitution in light of contemporary issues, bridging the gap between old text and modern society. For instance, Supreme Court decisions have gradually expanded rights related to privacy, marriage equality, and civil rights through interpretative evolution, demonstrating that the continuous reinterpretation of the Constitution can address contemporary concerns without the need for a new document (Finkelman, 2003).

In conclusion, the United States should retain its current Constitution, leveraging its built-in mechanisms for amendment and reinterpretation. Doing so provides stability, preserves foundational principles, and allows the document to evolve as society changes. While acknowledging its historical flaws, such as those stemming from its original creators' biases, ongoing constitutional processes offer a pathway for reform without necessitating replacement. This approach respects the nation's legal continuity and democratic principles, ensuring that constitutional governance remains responsive and pertinent in an ever-changing society.

References

• Finkelman, P. (2003). An Introduction to American Law. Cengage Learning.
• Kurland, P. B., & Brierly, J. (1981). The Constitution of the United States. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Levinson, S. (2004). Our Unsettled Constitution. Oxford University Press.