The founding documents of the United States of America declare a truly remarkable set of ideals: that all of us are created equal, that we have the right to speak freely and to pursue liberty, that we as citizens have a vital role to play in shaping and maintaining our government.
In order that we in the modern age can live up to the ideals of our Founding Fathers, we must endeavor to understand the basis for our system of government, and to involve ourselves in the process of its evolution. This lens aims to be your starting point for the understanding of American Democracy, in hopes that understanding will lead to a fuller expression of that democracy.
Founding Documents: The Declaration of Independence
When in the Course of human events...
The Declaration of Independence describes the why of our government. It lays out the case for severing ties with the tyrannical English monarchy, and in the process lays the groundwork for a country based on the ideals of liberty, justice, and freedom.
- The Declaration at the National Archives
- The text of the Declaration online, plus articles, essays, and high-resolution images of the original document.
- Project Gutenberg e-Text
- Portable electronic versions of the Declaration.
- Founding.com
- A user's guide to the Declaration of Independence.
Current Issues in Understanding Government
The Rule of Law
Representative Henry Hyde (R-IL), January 16, 1999:
That none of us is above the law is a bedrock principle of democracy. To erode that bedrock is to risk even further injustice. To erode that bedrock is to subscribe, to a "divine right of kings" theory of governance, in which those who govern are absolved from adhering to the basic moral standards to which the governed are accountable.
[...]
The rule of law is one of the great achievements of our civilization. For the alternative to the rule of law is the rule of raw power. We here today are the heirs of three thousand years of history in which humanity slowly, painfully and at great cost, evolved a form of politics in which law, not brute force, is the arbiter of our public destinies.
[...]
We are the heirs of the 20th century's great struggles against totalitarianism, in which the rule of law was defended at immense cost against the worst tyrannies in human history. The "rule of law" is no pious aspiration from a civics textbook. The rule of law is what stands between all of us and the arbitrary exercise of power by the state. The rule of law is the safeguard of our liberties. The rule of law is what allows us to live our freedom in ways that honor the freedom of others while strengthening the common good. The rule of law is like a three legged stool: one leg is an honest Judge, the second leg is an ethical bar and the third is an enforceable oath. All three are indispensable in a truly democratic society.
That none of us is above the law is a bedrock principle of democracy. To erode that bedrock is to risk even further injustice. To erode that bedrock is to subscribe, to a "divine right of kings" theory of governance, in which those who govern are absolved from adhering to the basic moral standards to which the governed are accountable.
[...]
The rule of law is one of the great achievements of our civilization. For the alternative to the rule of law is the rule of raw power. We here today are the heirs of three thousand years of history in which humanity slowly, painfully and at great cost, evolved a form of politics in which law, not brute force, is the arbiter of our public destinies.
[...]
We are the heirs of the 20th century's great struggles against totalitarianism, in which the rule of law was defended at immense cost against the worst tyrannies in human history. The "rule of law" is no pious aspiration from a civics textbook. The rule of law is what stands between all of us and the arbitrary exercise of power by the state. The rule of law is the safeguard of our liberties. The rule of law is what allows us to live our freedom in ways that honor the freedom of others while strengthening the common good. The rule of law is like a three legged stool: one leg is an honest Judge, the second leg is an ethical bar and the third is an enforceable oath. All three are indispensable in a truly democratic society.
Lists and Resources
The US State Department maintains a reading list of texts relating to U.S. Democracy.
And American Rhetoric maintains a list of the top 100 American speeches, many as either downloadable audio or video files, all with the entire text available online.
And American Rhetoric maintains a list of the top 100 American speeches, many as either downloadable audio or video files, all with the entire text available online.
Founding Documents: The Constitution
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union...
The Constitution of the United States describes our system of goverment, of checks and balances and the rule of law. It lays out the how of our goverment.
- The Constitution at the National Archives
- The text of the Constitution online, plus articles, essays, and high-resolution images of the original document.
- Project Gutenberg e-Text
- Portable electronic versions of the Constitution.
- National Constitution Center
- An independent organization dedicated to "increasing public understanding of and appreciation for" the Constitution. Includes the excellent Interactive Constitution.
- The Constitution Society
- A deep resource on the principles, meaning, and history of the Constitution.
The Blog of the American Constitution Society
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGreat Stuff on Amazon
Constitution of the United States (Little Books of Wisdom)
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 09/05/2008)
Understanding American Government (with InfoTrac)
Amazon Price: (as of 09/05/2008)
We the People: An Introduction to American Politics, Full Edition, Fifth Edition
Amazon Price: (as of 09/05/2008)
The Complete Idiot's Guide To American Government
Amazon Price: (as of 09/05/2008)
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction
Amazon Price: (as of 09/05/2008)
Schoolhouse Rock! (Special 30th Anniversary Edition)
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 09/05/2008)
Founding Documents: the Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution
The Bill of Rights is technically part of the Constitution, but it's character is different enough to be thought of as a separate document. If the Constitution describes how the government works in technical ways, the Bill of Rights describes how the government should relate to the governed; it describes the character of the United States government.
- The Bill of Rights at the National Archives
- The text of the Bill of Rights online, including essays, articles, and high resolution images of the original document.
- Project Gutenberg e-Text
- Portable electronic versions of the Bill of Rights.
- Bill of Rights Defense Committee
- The BORDC's mission is to organize and support an effective, national grassroots movement to restore civil liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
- Interactive Bill of Rights
- From the National Constitution Center.
On the Docket
Supreme Court news
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byCivics sites online
- Civics Online-[Re]Envisioning the Democratic Community
- A collaborative, internet project working to provide teachers, students, and parents with a rich array of primary source materials, learning tools, and professional development resources with which to learn and teach civics.
- The Civic Mind: The Source for Civics Education and Information
- Civics lessons for communities and classrooms
- Civnet
- International Resource for civic education and civil society
- Choices Education Project: Capitol Forum on America's Future
- A program for high school students and their teachers, from the Choices Education Project, Brown University. Also offering adult discussion programs and curriculum materials on international affairs topics.
- NAEP Civics Subject Area
- The latest NAEP civics assessment, which measured the civics and American government knowledge of students in grades 4, 8, and 12 in 1998, was administered to about 22,000 students in the nation.
- Constitutional Rights Foundation
- Publisher of U.S. Constitution curriculum materials. Also provides free lesson plans and newsletters online.
- GovSpot
- Government and civics information portal that simplifies the search for online regional, state, national and international government resources including election information.
- Center for Civic Education
- Nonprofit group which specializes in civic and citizenship education, law-related education, and international exchange programs in education in developing democracies. Site includes center history, news, programs, publications, alumni network, research, and related links.
- Civic Practices Network
- A collaborative and nonpartisan project bringing together a diverse array of organizations and perspectives within the new citizenship movement. We share a commitment to bring practical methods for public problem solving into every community and institutional setting in America.
- The Learning Page
- Created to assist educators as they use the American Memory web site to teach about United States history and culture. The site provides tips and tricks for using the American Memory collections, as well as frameworks,activities, and lessons that provide context for their use. It will be useful to life-long learners of all ages.
- Getting the Message Out
- An exhibition examining the national popular political culture in the antebellum United States through campaign materials from presidential campaigns from 1840-1860. Site includes histories, biographies, and primary source material such as campaign biographies and campaign songbooks, as well as song recordings, images, and teachers' guide.
- Institute for the Study of Civic Values
- A non-profit organization established to promote the fulfillment of America's historic civic ideals.
- Supreme Court Appointments
- Looks at possible vacancies on the Supreme Court of the United States and discusses the appointment process.
- Active Citizenship - Empowering America's Youth
- Promotes the rights, responsibilities, and civic values of U.S. citizenship. Distance learning courses, curriculum for grades 7-12 and resources.
- Choices Education Program
- Brings to life current and historical public policy issues for high school students. Includes workshops, classroom materials, and mailing list.
- Close Up
- A nonprofit, nonpartisan citizenship education organization that promotes responsible and informed participation in the democratic process through a variety of educational programs.
- CSV Community Partners
- Helps universities, colleges and schools develop opportunities for citizenship education through community involvement.
- Liberty Day
- A non-partisan grassroots celebration of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
- The Bill of Rights Institute
- The mission of the Bill of Rights Institute is to educate young people about the words and ideas of America's Founders, the liberties guaranteed in our Founding documents, and how our Founding principles affect and shape a free society.
Reader Feedback
Let me know what you think. Did I miss anything important?
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stumax
Thanks, all, for the kind words. Posted June 05, 2008 |
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BFuniv.com
So few words in the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Bill of Rights - yet so few read them. Your providing access to them may encourage folks to seek knowledge and understanding in what wise men labored so hard to frame. Posted May 31, 2008 |
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clickingworks
Liberty, Justice and Freedom. Three words that still have a magical sound to them. Posted August 21, 2007 |
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TheresaMarkham
Stuart, Great lens! Thanks for keeping the American Spirit alive - complete with both sides of the coin sacrifice (with wisdom) and freedom. As an attorney, I see so little of this appreciation :) All the Best, Theresa Kids and Money"> Posted April 08, 2007 |
