American Politics: The Evolution Of Self Government

On March 4th 1789 the constitution of the United States of America came into effect. Derived from the visions of seven political leaders and statesmen and consisting of only seven articles, the US constitution would become the first of its kind, the bedrock of democracy and lay the foundations for democratic political systems across the world. Since 1789, America has progressed in ways that would have seemed unimaginable at the time. Politicians and their political ideas have been and gone, World wars have been fought, equality is no longer a wishful dream but stringently expected and the American flag was even

Political ideas, beliefs, institutions, party systems, and alignments have developed and changed during the American

Today, politics vary drastically from what our Founding Fathers precedented in the genesis of the United States. September 19, marks the 208 anniversary of Washington’s Farewell Address, whether bad or for worse, George Washington’s insight is still relevant in today’s political stage of a dominant two political party platform. In George Washington’s Farewell Address, then former president Washington, states the possible weaknesses to unfold as a republic. The ideology of a political party with definite beliefs alters the opinions and pride held for the United States for the domination of one party. History within itself, has had multiple political parties for varying causes, however the split between the Democrats and Republicans, although

The United States began as a weak, newborn nation that grew into a large, self-supporting country with a governing body unique to this time period. As the government grew and the nation prospered, the rise of leaders and political figures came about and with this, conflicting principles and ideology spawned, thus creating the first of the political parties; the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. Although the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans ideology and stances on the power of the federal government, domestic economic policies and the group of constituents they represented differed vastly, members of both parties often compromised their own beliefs for the nation’s best interest as a whole.

The Constitution is one of the most important, if not the most important, documents in the history of the United States. It is the basis for the freedom, peace and safety of all Americans. Gordon S. Wood takes a unique approach to looking at the Constitution based on its composition in his excerpt “The American Science of Politics”. According to political writings from 1776-1788, based on its innovative structure, Americans truly believed that in constructing the constitution, they created the single most outstanding form of government in the history of politics due to the scientific way of formulating a political system based on concrete paradigms and principles which are representation, popular sovereignty, and parceling of power.

The United States of America, arguably one of the most powerful nations in the world, was molded and established through an abstract yet basic framework, which to this day has stood the test of time. The Constitution (1787) – a document that created a national government, along with distinguishing the existing/authority of state governments (Ritchie, POSC010, Lecture, 2017), is the epitome of the American government. Through such reputable document a government, historically different from that of most authoritative/hierarchical states, whose powers are divided amongst three branches (legislative, judicial, executive), have awarded people a justified voice/representation. In Congress, a part of the legislative branch, more specifically the

Self-government is the most important principle in the Constitution of the United States. The Founding Fathers saw that they needed to have a system which would make sure that everyone had a voice in the local, state and national governments. They wanted to have a system that could be changed when necessary. They wrote this system into the Constitution of the United States in 1787. It has lasted more than 200 years, through many changes in the world and the country. To this day the Constitution provides the basis for the United States government. The Constitution is often called the supreme law for two reasons:

There is a major divide between two political parties, that has shaped the modern government today. One fights for a strong central government while the other wants a small central government and strong military. These two differences in ideals have always been a powerful movement throughout the American history. Even as the Constitution was ratified on the 21st of June in 1788, federalists, and antifederalists fought against the opponent’s ideals. One side wanted the new country to have a strong centralized government (federalists), and the other side (antifederalists) believed in a smaller central government, and state sovereignty. Many states didn’t ratify the Constitution unless a “Bill of Rights” was added guaranteeing unalienable rights the new federal government cannot take away.

The enactment of the Constitution fabricated the United States’ identity. Through the ratification process dynamic factions developed and created the initial formation of political parties. The establishment of both the Federalist and anti-federalist groups contributed key components in the formation of the present day system of government. While the Federalists illuminated national awareness and necessity, the anti-federalists assured the protection of individual rights and liberties. To this day, these fundamental ideologies outline the basic debate individuals discuss throughout the United States. As a democratic republic, the initiation of participation and collaboration through

In the history of the United States of America, our government has been defined by two very important documents. Reflecting on all governments of the past, they laid forth an impressive jumble of ideas that would lead the way to where we are today. These two documents are the Article of Confederation and the U.S Constitution. These two documents of precedent are both similar and unique, each with its own pros and cons, and neither being perfect. Both these documents addressed the prominent vital in national vs. state sovereignty, legislative selection process, and executive authority.

The government of the United States would not be able to function without the various structures and fundamentals that were created in the country’s early establishment and history. The Founding Fathers, along with the many other strong leaders who led the country’s development, created a strong and secure system of government that made the United States the powerful and functional nation that it is today through their meticulous and detailed work in the United States’ Constitution. The strong foundation of government that the U.S. has created would not be possible and would not have been able to last the past 239 years without its unique ability to control and distribute power to different branches of government. The specific make-up, function,

The debate on what form of government the United States should assume was a highly controversial and debated topic. After the American Revolutionary War, the United States of America’s first constitution was ratified by all thirteen states in 1781. The constitution that unified the thirteen colonies by law was the Articles of Confederation; it established a weak central government that was adherent to the states. Therefore, the first form of government the United States officially had was a confederacy; which is where power is given to the central government through states. However, the new central government the Articles of Confederation created several shortcomings; for example, the national government did not have the ability to raise

Certain interests do not change over time in our society. Over 200 years ago, the prominent concern that led to the framing of the Constitution regarded the establishment of a government that was “for the people and by the people.” The framers of the Constitution, with concern of an over powering central government in mind, provided a basis for the structure of the federal government of the United States. The powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government are laid out strategically in a way that no one branch can have more power than the other. The national concern of maintaining a legitimate government has not shifted since the initial days of the framers. Although the capacity of the government has grown over time, the system of checks and balances that was adapted in the framing of the Constitution allows for the structure and powers of the federal government to remain in order today. Other than providing a structural map for how the government will operate, however, the additional aspects of the Constitution fail to administer practical framework for addressing 21st century interests. This document was written over 200 years ago and it has not been altered substantially since then (Lazare). While certain Amendments have been added to assist the Constitution in staying relevant, such as the abolishment of slavery and the addition of women’s right to vote, there has been practically nothing added to help in applying the framers’ intentions

"United States can be seen as the first liberal democracy. The United States Constitution, adopted in 1788, provided for an elected government and protected civil rights and liberties. On the American frontier, democracy became a way of life, with widespread social, economic and political equality. The system gradually evolved, from Jeffersonian Democracy or the First Party System to Jacksonian Democracy or the Second Party System and later to the Third Party System. In Reconstruction after the Civil War (late 1860s) the newly freed slaves became citizens, and they were given the vote as well." (Web, 1)

1.Analyze the evolution of the American political system. Be sure to include one individual or document that influenced the Constitution and one change in the federal system.