Section 3                            

                                  

The Constitution

____________________________________________________________

Readings: chapter 3, appendix  B.

 The text does not shy away from controversy. The controversial nature of this text is most apparent in its discussion of the making of the Constitution. The easiest reaction by any student in the face of such material is to write it off as the author's bias and memorize it for future exams. Resist this temptation. Think critically about what you are taught in this and every class. Zen.

The author's provide a compelling argument that the Constitution is not "a divinely inspired document expressing universal and timeless truths," but rather is a "series of political compromises which benefit some and disadvantage others." Isn't the intrinsic worth of the Constitution evident by its endurance and the unusual stability of the United States' 200 years of existence? Regardless of our evaluation of the document itself, do the conflicts, compromises, objections and absence of some representatives make nonsense out of the idea of "original intent" by the framers of the Constitution? These are issues to which each student of American government should give considerable thought.

.

Your Name

.

3.1 Which of the following are necessary elements of a "republican" form of government?

.

limited governmental powers

civil rights and liberties

popular consent

universal voting rights

shielded from the tyranny of the majority

.

3.2  As briefly as possible, list four reasons why the Constitutional Convention was thought necessary.    

3.3 Whose interests were reconciled by the "Great Compromise?"    

3.4 Whose interests were reconciled by the "Three/Fifths Compromise?"    

3.5 Which of the following provisions of the Constitution were intended to resolve economic disputes among and within the states?    

full faith and credit clause

3/5 compromise

acceptance of Revolutionary War debts

elastic clause

contract clause

habeas corpus

.

3.6 After reading this chapter, what do you think about the Constitution?  I am just curious. Write as much or as little as you wish. Zen.

.

Questions or Comments? send e-mail to Dr. Werner at drblw@aol.com