American Democracy: An Ongoing Experiment

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American Democracy:

An Ongoing Experiment

        At the conclusion of the American Revolution in 1776, the newly born United States had a very uncertain future ahead. Under the Articles of Confederation, which had led the colonies to victory against the British, the government was not entitled to perform the actions necessary to unify a nation. This central, yet limited government was an accurate representation of feelings toward government in the nation at the time. People were wary of executive power because of the unjust rule they had been subjected to. Prominent leaders of the young nation, however, recognized the drawbacks of the Articles of Confederation and called for the drafting of a constitution. Under a veil of secrecy, a Federal Convention was called. Fifty-five delegates convened in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787. These men enumerated the powers of the government under which we live today. The Federal Government was divided into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary. Furthermore, the legislative branch was divided into a bi-cameral legislature. The executive would take the form of a democratically elected president. Finally, the judicial branch would be known as the Supreme Court and be comprised of justices appointed by the president. Despite early opposition, this plan for government was eventually adopted by all thirteen states. Before ratification, however, this Constitution was subjected to amendments from the start. To appease a large and vocal group known as anti-federalists, a Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in order to guarantee those “unalienable rights” that have been endowed to all men by their creator. Since its creation, the Constitution has been a work in progress. While it did provide a much improved republic over the Articles of Confederation, it was written in broad and vague language. To compensate for the country’s future needs, a clause was included that allowed the document to change with the times. This was a framework born in a hostile environment. In a young, proud, and radical nation just freed from the grasp of war now facing the challenges of sovereignty. Our founding fathers answered this challenge as best they could, yet, let us not forget that American democracy was started as, and continues to be, an experiment.

        Karl Marx once said, “Men make their own history, but they do not make it just as they please: they do not make it under circumstances chosen by themselves, but under circumstances directly encountered, given and transmitted from the past.” Without a thorough understanding of the circumstances of the birth of our nation and the prevalent ideologies of the day, we cannot hope to understand the world we live in. Upon his departure from office, George Washington warned of two perils which could forever endanger the success of the nation: involving ourselves with European conflict and partisan political parties. His advice was quickly forgotten, however, as the nation divided into those who followed Jefferson and those who followed Madison. These parties have little bearing on government today. It was the American Civil War that prompted the inception of the prominent parties which run our modern government. Although its ideology may have evolved in years following the war, the Republican party was founded on the belief that no man should be the property of another. This was in obvious reference to slavery, but has carried over through generations. Those who remained in the United States government, but did not agree with the Republicans formed an opposing party. Those with radical opinions, however, decided to exit the union rather than work within it to accomplish change. This led to the creation of two, closely related organizations. When the South re-entered the United States, they were forced into the existing establishment. As new conflicts arose, each would take a stance loosely based on its respective, founding principles. Issues became complex over time, however, and soon the line between sides became blurred. Rather than reevaluate their positions, each party simply chose stances on problems as they surfaced. This led to the creation of two political parties that are conglomerates of convenience rather than unique ideologies. As matters of the modern world become more involved, the parties have formed opinions that, while quite clear on an isolated issue, contradict the reasoning behind other opinions. While two large and generally moderate parties offer convenience, do they offer adequate and consistent solutions? The two parties in power do not adequately address the political spectrum and thus contradict themselves.

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The Republican party, through public relations and its members’ voting records, has established itself as a conservative organization. Translated to the American political system, they favor a direct translation of the Constitution. When considering an issue, it is looked at with its original intent rather than a flexible document. Evidence of this position can be seen in the overwhelming opposition to gun control legislation. A vast majority of Republicans site the second amendment as evidence to support their cause. "A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and ...

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