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Foundations of American Political System: Insights from the Founders on Constitutional Government

This lesson explores the philosophical and historical foundations of the American political system, focusing on the founders' views regarding constitutional government. Key influences such as Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, and Montesquieu are examined, along with the experiences of colonial America. The course highlights the balance necessary between majority and minority rights, the concept of a republic, and the principles of limited government. Additionally, the development of individual rights influenced by Judeo-Christian beliefs and the British origins of American constitutionalism are discussed, diving into significant documents like the Magna Carta.

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Foundations of American Political System: Insights from the Founders on Constitutional Government

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  1. WTP: Unit One What are the philosophical and historical foundations of the American Political System?

  2. Lesson One:What did the founders think about constitutional government? • Colonial America • Rural • Spotting relationship between colonists and Natives • A few influential families dominated most towns or regions

  3. Lesson One:What did the founders think about constitutional government? • Influences on the Founders: • Aristotle • Hobbes • Cicero • Locke • Montesquie • Blackstone • Also experience as colonies affected ideas on government • Lax British control left a lot of self governing.

  4. Lesson One:What did the founders think about constitutional government? • Possible Forms of government: • Monarchy • Tyranny • Aristocracy • Oligarchy • Polity • Democracy • Did not trust the power in one’s or the masses hands.

  5. Lesson One:What did the founders think about constitutional government? • Solution: • Republican form of government • Res publica • “public thing” • Needed the massess to be filtered • Protect them from themselves • Protect rights of the minority • Protect the interests of both the majority and minority in order to sustain government.

  6. Lesson One:What did the founders think about constitutional government? • Whats a constitution? • Unwritten Constitution • Great Britain • Combination of written laws and precedents that create a “constitutional body” • Creates limited government & rule of law • Government limited by the provisions of the constitution and is not above the law but rather restrained/constrained by it.

  7. Lesson Two:What ideas about civic life informed the founding generation? • Old School influences (from antiquity) • Classical republicanism • Common good • altruism • Civic virtue • State, city before the individual citizen • Small, uniform communities • Homogenous and exclusive • Moral Education • Common values and religious beliefs

  8. Lesson Two: What ideas about civic life informed the founding generation? Philosophy & Government • Locke and Hobbes • Natural rights philosophy • State of nature • Law of nature • -Inalienable rights • --LLP

  9. Lesson Two: What ideas about civic life informed the founding generation? Natural Rights Philosophy Social Contract Theory • unwritten contract between members of a society • To preserve rights of the members • Government instituted in order to protect these rights and solidify this contract.

  10. Lesson Two: What ideas about civic life informed the founding generation? Natural Rights Philosophy Key tenets • Individual rights • Inalienable rights for EVERY member(ish) • Popular sovereignty • Right of revolution • Limited Government • Social contract • legitimacy

  11. Lesson 3: What historical developments influenced modern ideas of individual rights? Religion and Human Rights • Judeo-Christian Beliefs • Public and Private morality • Virtues of community v. virtues of faith and religion • Dignity and worth of all human beings • Civic virtue a matter of moral faith and obligation as opposed to duty to society • Church held lots of power because of limited access to the Bible

  12. Lesson 3: What historical developments influenced modern ideas of individual rights? Individual Right & the Middle Ages Feudalism • Hierarchical economic and governmental system based on ownership of resources, principally land. • kights, Lords, Vassals, Fiefs (serfs)

  13. Lesson 4: What were the British Origins of American Constitutionalism? How did rights develop in England? • Rights of Englishmen - • Common law • Generally procedural due process rights • Magna Carta 1215 • “Great Charter” • King John & his barons, clergy, and merchants • Rule of law • Basic rights • Included redress of grievances • Government by contract

  14. Lesson 4: What were the British Origins of American Constitutionalism? Concepts of the British Constitution • Petition of Right 1628 • Charles needed $ Parliament said ok if… • Increased Parliaments role and rights • Quartering soldiers • Some procedural due process rights • Habeas Corpus Act 1679 • Deliver the body • No detainment without charges • English Bill of Rights 1689 • Result of Glorious Revolution • Rule of law • Representive government

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