The Economic and Political Motives of the American...

The Economic and Political Motives of the American Constitution vs. the Articles of Confederation Introduction The Constitution of the United States of America is often revered and thought of as the basis for all democracies around the world. However, when it is used as an example of the perfect democracy, the facts and history behind its creation are often left out. While it is a fascinating document, it is not the pinnacle of perfection that we often hold it up to be. It had a stumbling start, full of problems and arguments, instead of the immaculate conception that is often described. Its beginnings were much humbler, and they started with the Articles of Confederation. It is somewhat strange that the American people know so†¦show more content†¦While there were obvious flaws in the Articles of Confederation, did they need to be completely thrown out, or could they have been modified? Of course, the writings of Adam Smith must not be forgotten. What were the bases of Smith’s perfect government? Would Smith have sided with the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, or something completely different? While Smith does have much to say about just about everything, does he have something specific to say? His views on government are geared more towards a monarchy, but some of his ideas are not necessarily monarchical in nature. He disagrees with the English system of the time, but does this mean that he has his own solution, or just basic guidelines? The Creation of the Articles of Confederation History The Articles of Confederation have long been viewed as having been a failure, a trifling effort at self-government that needed to be thrown out and replaced by the Constitution in 1787. While we now side with the Framers of the Constitution instead of its opponents, it is important to remember an old proverb: To the winner goes the spoils. So before we enter into a description of what transpired during the writing of the Articles of Confederation it is equally important to be sure not to prejudge what we believe the Articles were before learning about them. To approach the Articles of Confederation from the point of view of theShow MoreRelatedBook Review: Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis Essay1437 Words   |  6 Pagesits great leaders. While each chapter or story can be read separately and completely understood, they do relate to a broader common theme. One of Ellis main purposes in writing the book was to illustrate the early stages and tribulations of the American government and its system through his use of well blended stories. The idea that a republican government of this nature was completely unprecedented is emphasized through out the book. Ellis discusses the unique problems that the revolutionary generationRead MoreFederalism Essay2577 Words   |  11 Pagesthe spheres of state and national government. When the constitution was born, it held that certain policy areas, such as interstate commerce and defense, were the exclusive provinces of national authority, while public health and intrastate commerce, belonged clearly and exclusively to the states. This is Dual federalism. The two levels had equal strength and power, which lead to jealousy. Competition between the two was primarily over economic development and regulation. When imposing uniformityRead MoreNational Security Outline Essay40741 Words   |  163 PagesNational Security and the Fourth and Fifth Amendments 73 R. J. Rummel, â€Å"Power Kills; Absolute Power Kills Absolutely (Oct. 1991) 77 A. Theories of Confidence-Building Measures 79 J.N. Moore, Law and the Indochina War 81 Henkin, Is there a ‘Political Question’ Doctrine? 82 STANDING 83 JNM, SOLVING THE WAR PUZZLE, September 11th Its Aftermath: Terrorism, Afghanistan, The Iraq War 84 Incentive Theory Terrorism 84 Low Intensity Conflict and the International Legal System, JNM 89 RecommendationsRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesDavid M. Scobey, Empire City: The Making and Meaning of the New York City Landscape Gerda Lerner, Fireweed: A Political Autobiography Allida M. Black, ed., Modern American Queer History Eric Sandweiss, St. Louis: The Evolution of an American Urban Landscape Sam Wineburg, Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of Teaching the Past Sharon Hartman Strom, Political Woman: Florence Luscomb and the Legacy of Radical Reform Michael Adas, ed., Agricultural and Pastoral SocietiesRead MoreFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 PagesTraining and Development 41 Compensation and Benefits 42 Employee Relations 42 vi Contents Top Management Commitment 43 Effective Upward Communication 43 Determining What to Communicate 44 Allowing for Feedback 44 Information Sources 44 The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 62 The Civil Rights Act of 1991 63 The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 63 Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 64 Relevant Executive Orders 64 vii WORKPLACE ISSUES: HRM Certification