I’m working on a Political Science discussion question and need an explanation to help me learn.

Achieving Democracy

Early American history dictates the grueling challenges of democratic development. British colonists in America, in response to the imposition of taxes, countered with the American Revolutionary War. However, the resulting independence that followed would soon prove difficult for the new nation. The fear of tyranny, like that experienced under the British Crown, led the newly formed United States to form a most ineffective government under the nation’s first constitution, the Articles of Confederation. The deficits of the Articles were such that they threatened to completely dismantle the order the former colonists had fought long and hard for. ⁽¹⁾ Thus, the need for the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which had as its motivating purpose the goal of preserving what has been deemed “ a grand experiment in self-government. ” ⁽⁸²⁾

Sustaining Democracy

One story out of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 entails Benjamin Franklin’s response to a very poignant question posed; that is, “ What type of government have you given us?” (In response, Mr. Franklin is alleged to have replied “ A republic if you can keep it. ” ⁽⁸¹⁾ His response clearly indicates that democracy is an ongoing process that must continually be nourished in effort to thrive. America’s political landscape demonstrates this determination toward political longevity. For instance, the U.S. Constitution has, over time, progressed into greater liberty for its citizens; though this progression was not without its woes. Indeed, from the Civil War to the championing of Gay Rights, and everything in between, we find a system that is typified by political — and sometimes physical — melees for the cause of freedom. Were it so that democracy was easy to maintain, our Constitution would have largely gone unchanged and nixed important, historical developments like that of the Bill of Rights and the Civil War Amendments.

Understanding Democracy

American politics are complex to say the least. ⁽¹⁾ From the Electoral College and the popular vote debate to the nation’s vast election system — encompassing some 89,004 local governments, a national government, and 50 state governments — politics in American can be elusive. ⁽⁸³⁾ This fact, alone, causes many to turn away from the subject altogether. Adding to this intricacy is the contemporary state of American federal government, which includes occurrences that the Founding Fathers could not possibly have anticipated. This gap in knowledge and time means that a Constitution written more than two centuries ago must now be interpreted and applied to a society that looks remarkably different than it did during the nation’s founding. Political issues such as recreational marijuana use, transgender rights, social media/virtual speech, etc., support this line of thought. As such, public policy in these areas — and others — often promote conflict, cynicism, and polarization as citizens struggle to find constitutional meaning in unpopular legislation.

Moreover, the age of the Internet further complicates American polity. In an era where facts are often overshadowed by opinions, the democratic values housed in the Constitution are often eclipsed. Thus, the goal of this module is to assist you in identifying the Constitution as America’s political blueprint, with particular emphasis on the structure it outlines and the function it authorizes.

Democracy, at its core, is centered on the idea that individuals can, in fact, rule themselves. This concept is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution as we know it today. However, early on the American Constitution was not a sound, democratic document. In particular, the idea of popular sovereignty; that is, the will of the people, was not extended to everyone. For example, as you read this week, the framers, for a time, chose to retain slavery in the new Republic. In addition to slavery, in what other areas was the Constitution of 1788 less than democratic? In what ways has the Constitution, since then, become more democratic? Be sure to provide examples to support your claims.

Submission

Our discussions are a valuable opportunity to have thoughtful conversations regarding a specific topic. You are required to provide a comprehensive initial post with 3-4 well-developed paragraphs that include a topic sentence and at least 3-5 supporting sentences with additional details, explanations, and examples. In addition, you are required to respond substantively to the initial posts of at least two other classmates on two different days. All posts should be reflective and well written, meaning free of errors in grammar, sentence structure, and other mechanics.

Anything cited must be in APA formatting