Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Is the US Constitution Still fit for purpose?
- Yes!
- Federalism is a good compromise between strong national
government and decentralisation (required do to diversity)
- Text has adapted to changes in American society
- Demanding amendment process has
usually prevented ill-conceived amendments
- Enumerated rights and freedoms have been protected
- Judicial review has made it even more
adaptable - 'interpretative amendment'
- No!
- Formal amendment is very difficult, even with majority support
- Judicial review gives unelected justives too much power
- Some parts are outdated (electoral college, second
amendment, congress' power to declare war etc.)
- The Founding Fathers wanted to prevent factions, but
the Constitution institutionalises gridlock -
bipartisanship has been replaced by hyperpartiasnship
- Global foreign policy significance of the US
unexpected - growth of presidential power