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The Constitution
The United States Constitution is a compilation of laws based off of politically historical precedent with aspirations of creating “a more perfect union.” The Declaration of Independence asserted America’s separation from England. Soon after, the Articles of Confederation became the first constitution of the new nation. Unfortunately, the Articles were not effective, and it became evident that a revision was necessary. After new governmental theories and attempts to meet and amend the Articles failed, a meeting to find a solution was established. This assembly is known as the Constitutional Convention. While discussing potential changes, the delegates realized it would be best to simply create a new document. This document is the United States Constitution.
The first constitution in the modern sense of the word was the Agreements and Constitutions of Laws and Freedoms of the Zaporizian Host. It was written in 1710 and established a government with a separation of branches system. It also recognized a democratic election of council members. This constitution never developed into an official governing document because the author composed it while in exile. It is important to note that ideas on a proper, capable government existed before they were written into the American Constitution, but failed to develop into a governing document. The lengths the Framers went to in order to create the Constitution were substantial: they met in secrecy to avoid persecution from the standing government, deliberated for months piecing bit by bit of law together for the optimal outcome, and advocated to their states upon the document’s completion despite the chance that some angry Anti-Federalist would turn against them.
One reason the United States Constitution has succeeded as a legal authority is because it is powerful and limited. A checks and balances system exists within the government. This maintains order and protects the citizens by placing limits on the power of the government to secure the liberties and rights of the People.
Previous countries’ constitutions created laws that best suited that particular government (and other members of their elite class) right then and there. The Framers of the Constitution purposefully sought the best system for not only that moment, but also for future generations of Americans. They spent months crafting the Constitution, adding particular language here, taking out a few words there, in order to produce the best document possible.
The earliest written Constitution still in existence today is that of San Marino, a small state on the Italian peninsula. However, that state population consists of around thirty thousand people maintaining an economy off the tourism industry. The United States has a population of over three hundred million people from different backgrounds, lifestyles, and future aspirations. America’s Constitution may be almost two hundred years younger than San Marino’s, but has certainly appeased a greater diversity.
A reason the United States Constitution has sustained authority over such a long duration is due to its short length. It contains seven articles and twenty-seven amendments, and was even shorter at its inception with only ten amendments. Existing at the shortest Constitutional length documented allows for greater possibility of change to ameliorate any problems that may arise. If it were longer, like the Constitution of India (the longest written constitution with four hundred and forty-four articles, twelve schedules, and ninety-four amendments), a greater opportunity exists for flaws to be found; legal imperfections then lead to the extensive amendment process.
Even if flaws are found within its pages, the Framers acknowledged and wrote within the Constitution the chance that the laws can be wrong. This notion was exceedingly novel for its time. The concept that a government is willing to accept brevity of defeat and that the Amendment process even exists is humbling and induces a sense of pride. Note: once upon a time, laws were literally carved into stone.
A shorter Constitution also grants American judges the opportunity to use their discretion. This availability of choice allows a balance to be made between limiting the power of the government and recognizing liberties and rights of the People. Times change, and a country’s Constitution, or otherwise governing document, should remain relevant. Take a second to remember that when the Constitution was created, (amongst other things) slavery still existed and women could not vote.
Another explanation for the vitality of the United States Constitution is government’s recognition and acceptance that a difference exists between simply having a Constitution and having a Constitutional government. Some governments adopted Constitutions, but failed to implement the laws within them. The United States applies the laws from the Constitution and takes them to heart. Russia, however, has an open-ended federal process allowing the government greater opportunity to authoritatively oppress its people and restrict their liberties.
The idea of federalism, a power-sharing compromise between the federal and states, again adds to America’s constitutional greatness. Chances for oppression upon the states by the federal government and a rebellion by the states against the federal government diminished upon this technique’s enactment. Most other countries simply detail what the government can do; the government of the United States also lists what it cannot do.
Many other countries’ constitutions include section(s) discussing religion. The first amendment’s guarantee to the freedom of religion joins the long list of reasons why the United States Constitution is simply the best around. The advantage of having a choice is immeasurable. A caged bird won’t sing, and an awareness of the Founding Father’s attentiveness to the needs of the American People is profound.
Yet another strength of this document is the convenience at which it can be found. Simply Google almost any variation of “United States Constitution” and receive not only the document in its entirety, but also explanations devoted to helping anyone understand it. This is not to say that other countries have not placed their Constitutions online, but rather to denote the American government’s willingness to provide its People with veracity and accept its own vulnerability. Additionally, while explanations are available, the Constitution does not necessarily need it. The Framers purposefully chose simple, unconvoluted verse.
Simplicity, brevity, accessibility, and accountability are but a few reasons why the United States Constitution is the best governing document ever created.
