Constitution
For over two centuries, the American Constitution established the foundation of democratic government. It can undoubtedly be considered the strongest and longest lasting piece of document in the history of government. The Constitution, adopted in 1789, created a framework that secured the nation's interests, promoted its commerce, and also maintained unity as a nation. Although ratifying it and building trust and confidence in it took a while, the foundation that the Constitution was built upon created a strong national government. This strong foundation or framework nevertheless is of great importance yet the secret to its success can be greatly attributed to the flexibility of the Constitution allowed by its structure.The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia in May of 1787, led to the ending of the Articles of Confederation and the birth of the Constitution. It cannot be argued that the Constitution was the result of the failures of the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation undoubtedly had good virtues but was concerned primarily with limiting the powers of the national government. Under it, Congress was given power to declare war, borrow money and trade but it left out two of the most import
The fourteenth amendment was placed into the Constitution which showed the degree of flexibility it had towards the different eras. Marshall once again took the side of the national government arguing that a state law that was in conflict with the federal law would be deemed invalid since the law of the U. By competing for the promoting of industry, states have improved education and public works. Overall, the Articles of Confederation was merely a formality required after the Declaration of Independence. Although this grant was no where explicit in the Constitution, Chief Justice John Marshall took the side of the national government and declared that it was implied from the other powers to levy taxes, borrow money and regulate commerce. This continuing vitality± of the federal framework is also extended to even local governments as well because they play such an important role in implementing the state laws, (Lowi, 86). This is the essence of constitutionalism-principles that are above the reach of everyday legislatures, executives, bureaucrats, and politicians, yet that are not so far above their reach that these principles cannot under some conditions be adapted to changing times±, (Lowi, 108). Allowing for the distribution of powers among the national and state governments and also within the different branches of the national government, the Constitution provided as a means for providing protection from the government as well as protection by the government. Although the national government had the commerce clause± to build on, for most of the nineteenth century, federal power remained restricted and limited due to the attention of the tenth amendment: states' rights. The principle of federalism played an important role in advancing the national government but also limiting it. Another important trend is the role that states actually play in Congress, making legislative decisions. This shows that the fundamental governing of the country was done almost entirely by the states. These three principles are nowhere found or mentioned in our Constitution but provide the primary framework for it.
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