Debating American Constitutionalism: The Founding

Catalog description

Was the U.S. Constitution a mistake? During the constitutional ratification debates of 1787-88, the Anti-Federalists argued that it would be, while the Federalists maintained that it structured the government well and that it was the best governing document possible under the circumstances. This course examines the arguments, ideas and questions raised by the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Their debates provide resources to understand and contribute to contemporary political and constitutional debates, and they model how intellectually deep, and morally serious, public discourse can be. Also studies their arguments and applies them to our current politics, while considering the rhetorical and other demands placed upon statesmen in constitutional, democratic systems. Additionally, considers the arguments of critics of American constitutionalism in American history and in the present day, as well as proposals to amend the Constitution.