Essay about How Democratic Is the American Constitution

Words: 922
Pages: 4
Open Document
Nathaniel Sellis
American & Wyo Government
Dudley
November 12, 2011

How Democratic is the American Constitution Summary Robert Dahl explains in the beginning of the book that he is not proposing changes in the American Constitution, but suggests changes in the way we think about our constitution. In this essay, I will explain the history of this American constitution, what Dahl suggests about the American Constitution, and my opinion about this book.
In the history of the United States, there are two factors that mark its constitutional history. For one thing, the rights of citizens were organized through limits to power, linked to a libertarian conception of liberal viewpoint. For another, the original structure of the …show more content…
After this historical overview, we compare four pillars of the current design structure: federalism (strong bicameralism and unequal representation in the Senate) (pg.98), the electoral system, the method of presidential election and the limits of judicial power in relation to the countries that have functioned without interruption. The overall conclusion is that the American system is a combination between the two types that copied the defects of both and none of its benefits.
Dahl shows highly a negative view about what reform can be achieved in a near future because the democratic republican part of values and rights (Bill of Rights and amendments) were possible instruments through citizen involvement provided for this purpose. It is necessary to achieve this change of attitude towards civil society in the constitutional system to achieve the goals discussed previously. This is what prevents you from fitting this issue on the public agenda. For this, the strategy involves both academic circles and the media. They are both related to a transformation of political culture, understood as the acquisition of beliefs and customs of agreements.
His contribution on the possible institutional design is focused on two directions: the first is to “re-conceptualize” the constitution from which to project any reform, including political institutions and the electoral system in a constitutional system as a "means for achieving a
Show More

Related Documents: Essay about How Democratic Is the American Constitution

Acceleration Of Independence

The United States is often seen in a light of democratic governance, drawing from the principles outlined in its foundational documents, the Declaration of Independence, and the U.S. Constitution. The Declaration of Independence represents ideals of individual liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness, while the Constitution provides the framework for a government based on separation of powers, checks and balances, and protection of fundamental rights. These documents, though vastly different…

Words 559 - Pages 3

What Was The Federalist Era

The Federalist Era is the period of time between the ratification of the Constitution and Jefferson’s inauguration as president. During this time, the new nation struggled to find firm footing. Even though the nation faced obstacles including divisive political parties and the large national debt, they have made accomplishments such as the ratification of the Constitution and worked out economic and foreign relations issues. In the Federalist Era, the United States faced tensions such as the political…

Words 521 - Pages 3

The Pros And Cons Of The Constitution

In my opinion I believe that the Constitution, as drafted in Philadelphia in 1787 departs from the Declaration of Independence, but to some degree relates to it. The Declaration of Independence was a Formal statement written by Thomas Jefferson declaring the freedom of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain. The constitution written after the Declaration of Independence established supreme Law of the land. The Declaration of Independence was simply an announcement of war. The reasoning behind…

Words 1124 - Pages 5

Democracy: Democracy and New Zealand Essay

participation and government in the public interest and can take a wide variety of forms (Heywood 2007, p.448). Also, democracy is referred to the liberal democracy which is the broadest accepted form of democracy (Heywood, 2007). There are variety of democratic forms, “direct” and “representative”. In a direct democracy, all citizens have initiatives to decide policies through attending conversation or voting which “without the intermediary of elected or appointed officials, can participate in making public…

Words 758 - Pages 4

Unemocratic Elements Of Democracy In Robert Dahl's How Democratic

United States Constitution is considered one of the most important documents in the U.S. because it serves as the framework for the government’s institutions. Robert Dahl’s How Democratic is the American Constitution, closely analyzes the elements of the document that was created over two centuries ago. It is universally known that American politics is a structured democracy, however Dahl questions whether the Constitution is as democratic as people believe it to be. American democratic institutions…

Words 1362 - Pages 6

Theories Of Democratic Peace

Theory of Democratic Peace Throughout the world there are numerous countries that are ruled by different political systems, in which every country is entitled to do so. Although some systems are viewed more favorably than others, in this paper the political systems discussed will be the democratic, authoritarian and totalitarian systems. These political systems will be analyzed in relation to the Theory of Democratic Peace. This theory argues that nation-states governed by democratic regimes do…

Words 1704 - Pages 7

Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans Essay

The United States of America was founded on a Constitution that was supposed to preserve our freedoms and certain liberties. All Americans at that time wanted to keep America a free an independent nation with rights for its people. However there was two different groups, the Federalists lead by Alexander Hamilton and the Democratic-Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson, which thought this could be achieved in very different ways. Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were very different in their…

Words 919 - Pages 4

Essay about Advertisement: United States Constitution and Constitutional Principle

position on the issue of The Right to Die as it relates to individual rights and the common good. Should physicians be required by law to help terminally ill patients who have a strong desire to end their lives? Is physician assisted suicide ethical? How is terminally ill defined? Thesis: I believe that The Right To Die is/is not ethical because ____________, _________, ______________.         Everyone is guaranteed civil rights under the 14th Amendment Competent people should…

Words 831 - Pages 4

chater 8 hentretta notes Essay

Chapter 7 1. Creating Republican Institutions, 1776-1787 The various state constitutions, with their various degrees of popular sovereignty, laid the groundwork for efforts to create a stronger national government. Congress had been exercising de facto constitutional authority since 1776 and, despite its limited powers, successfully planned the settlement of the trans-Appalachian West. Congress established the Northwest Territory and issued ordinances affecting the settlement and administration…

Words 1539 - Pages 7

Essay on Chapter 15 Terms

Chapter 15 Terms 1. John Brown- white American abolitionist who believed armed insurrection was the only way to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States. 2. John C. Calhoun- a leading American politician and political theorist during the first half of the 19th century. 3. Zachary Taylor- 12th President of the United States, serving from March 1849 until his death in July 1850. Before his presidency, Taylor was a career officer in the United States Army, rising to the rank of major…

Words 1382 - Pages 6