Majority Rule, Minority Rights: The Constitution and Court Cases
Just because a democracy succeeds at giving power to the majority does not mean it is a just government. The majority could oppress the minority and pass laws against them. Therefore, there is more to democracy or just government than preventing a minority from ruling over the majority.
Separation of Powers in the Constitution
What is the Separation of Powers? The US Constitution is one of the oldest and most successful constitutions in the world, providing the foundation for the rule of law in America for nearly 250 years. After ratification in 1788, it officially replaced the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789, in conjunction with the first […]
Ratifying Constitutional Amendments
There are two ways to ratify a constitutional amendment. The first way entails an amendment be approved by both houses of Congress. Then, the amendment is sent out to the states for approval. The second way is that an amendment gets approved by state legislatures. This is the short answer to this question, but ratifying an amendment is more complex.
All About the Declaration of Independence
A Symbolic Document The Declaration of Independence is a symbol of the freedom of the United States from the control of British rule under King George III. The date of its signature is a national holiday and is seen as the day the country was born. But what happened in 1776 to make this document […]
Why We Needed the Constitution Despite Already Having the Articles of Confederation
While everyone today knows the US Constitution’s role in American history, few are aware of the Articles of Confederation or exactly why the former replaced the latter in guiding America’s governmental structure.
What Is the Rule of Law in the US Constitution?
The United States Constitution is one of the oldest and most successful constitutions in the world, governing American society for nearly 250 years. Although it has been amended 27 times during its history, the same basic principles laid out in its text still largely govern the country today.