Foundational Documents

Declaration of Independence

  • Natural Rights

    • States that all individuals are born with inherent rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..

    • Purpose of government is to protect these rights.

  • Popular Sovereignty

    • The authority of the government is derived from the people, echoing the belief that "governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed." This principle emphasizes that the legitimacy of a government is based on the will of the people, and thus, citizens have the right to challenge or change their government if it fails to uphold these fundamental rights.

    • Citizens have the right to abolish or alter unjust governmental systems.

  • Social Contract

    • An implied agreement among individuals to create a government that would serve their interests.

    • Government's legitimacy hinges on fulfilling its role in the social contract.

Articles of Confederation

  • Sovereign States

    • Each state operated independently and retained ultimate power.

  • Voting System

    • Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of size or population, which created inequality in representation.This system often led to frustration among larger states, as their populations were not accurately reflected in legislative power.

  • Limitations of Congress

    • Congress lacked the power to collect taxes or regulate interstate commerce, resulting in a weak national framework..

    • No separate executive or judicial branches existed.

    • Resulted in states acting independently, often disregarding national policies.

Constitution

  • Separation of Powers

    • Establishes three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial.

  • Checks and Balances

    • Each branch has powers that can limit or check the other branches to prevent abuse of power.

    • Designed to inhibit any one branch from overpowering the others.

  • Federalism

    • A system that divides power between the national and state governments.

  • Republican Form of Government

    • A government where representatives are elected by the citizens.

    • Representatives are accountable to their constituents, thus reinforcing democratic principles.

  • Limited Government

    • The government’s powers are restricted to protect individual rights.

  • Bill of Rights

    • First ten amendments that guarantee specific rights and freedoms.

Federalist #10 (James Madison)

  • Threat of Factions

    • Factions are groups that work against the collective good of the public.

    • Factions arise inevitably in a free society where liberty is honored.

    • The solution to control factions is not direct democracy, which can worsen the issue via majority oppression.

    • A large republic is the best means to mitigate factionalism.

Brutus #1

  • Argument for Small Republic

    • Advocates for a government structure that is smaller and more localized.

  • Warning on Power

    • Once power is relinquished, it is difficult to regain.

  • Elastic Clause

    • Concern over the potential for government overreach and absolute power.

  • Taxation and Tyranny

    • The federal government's power to tax could lead to oppressive governance and the diminishing of state powers.

Federalist #51

  • Human Nature and Government

    • Acknowledges that humans are not inherently virtuous, thus government is necessary to curb ambition.

  • Need for Limited Government

    • Emphasizes the risk of corruption and the necessity of separation of powers.

  • Checks and Balances

    • Each branch of government is designed to monitor and limit the powers of the others.

Federalist #70 (Alexander Hamilton)

  • Unitary Executive

    • Argues for a single, strong executive leader.

  • Efficiency in Leadership

    • A single executive can make quicker decisions compared to a group.

Federalist #78

  • Judicial Review

    • Establishes the judiciary as the least powerful branch, lacking enforcement capabilities.

  • Judges' Tenure

    • Judges serve life terms to ensure independence from political pressure.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

  • Application of Constitutional Ideals

    • Advocates for the enforcement of the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the 14th Amendment to be applied universally.

  • List of Grievances

    • Similar in style to the Declaration of Independence, outlines injustices faced.

  • Freedom and Civil Disobedience

    • Asserts that freedom is won through demands, not granted; supports the concept of civil disobedience against unjust laws.