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| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution High School Center for Civic Education, 2019-08-01 This is the fourth edition We the People, which corresponds to the paper textbook (© 2016). Used by thousands of students in civics classes nationwide since 1987, the We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution high school textbook explains the principles of American constitutional democracy and citizenship. Features include critical thinking exercises, writing activities, a full glossary, the complete text of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and other founding documents. The Lesson Links feature of each lesson provides additional learning opportunities from the We the People Resource Center. Visit www.civiced.org/wethepeople for more information about the We the People program. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the People : The Citizen & the Constitution , 2018-04-13 We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution teaches middle school students about civics, government, and active citizenship. The textbook, composed of 6 units and 30 lessons, uses critical-thinking exercises and cooperative-learning strategies to teach the history and principles of American constitutional democracy. Lessons include What were the British colonies in America like in the 1770s? and What experiences led to the American Revolution? We the People is aligned with the Common Core State Standards for Reading and Writing and the National Standards for Civics and Government. A paper teacher's guide can be purchased from the Center for Civic Education. We the People has been used by thousands of students nationwide since 1987. Recommended for grades 6-8. Copyright 2017, Center for Civic Education |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the People Center for Civic Education (Calif.), 1995 Civics textbook with an emphasis on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the People Center for Civic Education (Calif.), 2009 What are the philosophical and historical foundations of the American political system? -- How did the framers create the Constitution? -- How has the Constitution been changed to further the ideals contained in the Declaration of Independence? -- How have the values and principles embodied in the Constitution shaped American institutions and practices? -- What rights does the Bill of Rights protect? -- What challenges might face American constitutional democracy in the twenty-first century? -- Reference. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the People , 2020 Introduces the history and principles of constitutional democracy. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the People , 1994 |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the People , 2020 Introduces the history and principles of constitutional democracy. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: Our Undemocratic Constitution Sanford Levinson, 2008 Levinson here argues that too many of our Constitution's provisions promote either unjust or ineffective government. Under the existing blueprint, we can neither rid ourselves of incompetent presidents nor assure continuity of government following catastrophic attacks. Worse, our Constitution is the most difficult to amend or update in the world. Levinson boldly challenges the Americans to undertake a long overdue public discussion on how they might best reform this most hallowed document and construct a constitution adequate to our democratic values. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the People , 2007 Introduces the history and principles of constitutional democracy. Teacher's edition includes performance assessment materials and a bibliography of children's literature. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: The People’s Constitution John F. Kowal, 2021-09-21 The 233-year story of how the American people have taken an imperfect constitution—the product of compromises and an artifact of its time—and made it more democratic Who wrote the Constitution? That’s obvious, we think: fifty-five men in Philadelphia in 1787. But much of the Constitution was actually written later, in a series of twenty-seven amendments enacted over the course of two centuries. The real history of the Constitution is the astonishing story of how subsequent generations have reshaped our founding document amid some of the most colorful, contested, and controversial battles in American political life. It’s a story of how We the People have improved our government’s structure and expanded the scope of our democracy during eras of transformational social change. The People’s Constitution is an elegant, sobering, and masterly account of the evolution of American democracy. From the addition of the Bill of Rights, a promise made to save the Constitution from near certain defeat, to the post–Civil War battle over the Fourteenth Amendment, from the rise and fall of the “noble experiment” of Prohibition to the defeat and resurgence of an Equal Rights Amendment a century in the making, The People’s Constitution is the first book of its kind: a vital guide to America’s national charter, and an alternative history of the continuing struggle to realize the Framers’ promise of a more perfect union. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: I, Citizen Tony Woodlief, 2021-12-07 This is a story of hope, but also of peril. It began when our nation’s polarized political class started conscripting everyday citizens into its culture war. From their commanding heights in political parties, media, academia, and government, these partisans have attacked one another for years, but increasingly they’ve convinced everyday Americans to join the fray. Why should we feel such animosity toward our fellow citizens, our neighbors, even our own kin? Because we’ve fallen for the false narrative, eagerly promoted by pundits on the Left and the Right, that citizens who happen to vote Democrat or Republican are enthusiastic supporters of Team Blue or Team Red. Aside from a minority of party activists and partisans, however, most voters are simply trying to choose the lesser of two evils. The real threat to our union isn’t Red vs. Blue America, it’s the quiet collusion within our nation’s political class to take away that most American of freedoms: our right to self-governance. Even as partisans work overtime to divide Americans against one another, they’ve erected a system under which we ordinary citizens don’t have a voice in the decisions that affect our lives. From foreign wars to how local libraries are run, authority no longer resides with We the People, but amongst unaccountable officials. The political class has stolen our birthright and set us at one another’s throats. This is the story of how that happened and what we can do about it. America stands at a precipice, but there’s still time to reclaim authority over our lives and communities. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the Kids David Catrow, 2005-04-21 Brush up on the Preamble to the Constitution with this patriotic picture book—and have a couple of good laughs while you're at it! A long time ago some smart guys wrote the Preamble to the Constitution. You have probably read it before, but do you know what it means? And did it ever make you laugh? Now it will! Perfect for inspiring discussion in classrooms and around kitchen tables, this fun-filled and cheerfully illustrated look at the Preamble provides an accessible introduction to America's founding ideals for citizens of all ages. Includes a glossary of terms and a foreword by the artist. This zany, patriotic paean offers kids lighthearted but meaningful incentive to reflect further on the relevance of those 'big words' and 'big ideas.'—Publishers Weekly |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the People , 2007 |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: Our Republican Constitution Randy E. Barnett, 2016-04-19 A concise history of the long struggle between two fundamentally opposing constitutional traditions, from one of the nation’s leading constitutional scholars—a manifesto for renewing our constitutional republic. The Constitution of the United States begins with the words: “We the People.” But from the earliest days of the American republic, there have been two competing notions of “the People,” which lead to two very different visions of the Constitution. Those who view “We the People” collectively think popular sovereignty resides in the people as a group, which leads them to favor a “democratic” constitution that allows the “will of the people” to be expressed by majority rule. In contrast, those who think popular sovereignty resides in the people as individuals contend that a “republican” constitution is needed to secure the pre-existing inalienable rights of “We the People,” each and every one, against abuses by the majority. In Our Republican Constitution, renowned legal scholar Randy E. Barnett tells the fascinating story of how this debate arose shortly after the Revolution, leading to the adoption of a new and innovative “republican” constitution; and how the struggle over slavery led to its completion by a newly formed Republican Party. Yet soon thereafter, progressive academics and activists urged the courts to remake our Republican Constitution into a democratic one by ignoring key passes of its text. Eventually, the courts complied. Drawing from his deep knowledge of constitutional law and history, as well as his experience litigating on behalf of medical marijuana and against Obamacare, Barnett explains why “We the People” would greatly benefit from the renewal of our Republican Constitution, and how this can be accomplished in the courts and the political arena. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: The Words We Live By Linda R. Monk, 2015-08-11 The Words We Live By takes an entertaining and informative look at America's most important historical document, now with discussions on new rulings on hot button issues such as immigration, gay marriage, gun control, and affirmative action. In The Words We Live By, Linda Monk probes the idea that the Constitution may seem to offer cut-and-dried answers to questions regarding personal rights, but the interpretations of this hallowed document are nearly infinite. For example, in the debate over gun control, does the right of the people to bear arms as stated in the Second Amendment pertain to individual citizens or regulated militias? What do scholars say? Should the Internet be regulated and censored, or does this impinge on the freedom of speech as defined in the First Amendment? These and other issues vary depending on the interpretation of the Constitution. Through entertaining and informative annotations, The Words We Live By offers a new way of looking at the Constitution. Its pages reflect a critical, respectful and appreciative look at one of history's greatest documents. The Words We Live By is filled with a rich and engaging historical perspective along with enough surprises and fascinating facts and illustrations to prove that your Constitution is a living -- and entertaining -- document. Updated now for the first time, The Words We Live By continues to take an entertaining and informative look at America's most important historical document, now with discussions on new rulings on hot button issues such as immigration, gay marriage, and affirmative action. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: A More Perfect Union Ben Carson, MD, Candy Carson, 2015-10-06 Dear Reader, Many people have wondered why I’ve been speaking out on controversial issues for the last few years. They say I’ve never held political office. I’m not a constitutional scholar. I’m not even a lawyer. All I can say to that is “Guilty as charged.” It’s true that I’ve never voted for a budget America could not afford. I’ve never raised anyone’s taxes. And I’ve never promised a lobbyist anything in exchange for a donation. Luckily, none of that really matters. Our founding fathers didn’t want a permanent governing class of professional politicians. They wanted a republic, in Lincoln’s words, of the people, by the people, and for the people. A country where any farmer, small-business owner, manual laborer, or doctor could speak up and make a difference. I believe that making a difference starts with understanding our amazing founding document, the U.S. Constitution. And as someone who has performed brain surgery thousands of times, I can assure you that the Constitution isn’t brain surgery. The founders wrote it for ordinary men and women, in clear, precise, simple language. They intentionally made it short enough to read in a single sitting and to carry in your pocket. I wrote this book to encourage every citizen to read and think about the Constitution, and to help defend it from those who misinterpret and undermine it. In our age of political correctness it’s especially important to defend the Bill of Rights, which guarantees our freedom to speak, bear arms, practice our religion, and much more. The Constitution isn’t history—it’s about your life in America today. And defending it is about what kind of country our children and grandchildren will inherit. I hope you’ll enjoy learning about the fascinating ways that the founders established the greatest democracy in history—and the ways that recent presidents, congresses, and courts have threatened that democracy. As the Preamble says, the purpose of the Constitution is to create a more perfect union. My goal is to empower you to help protect that union and secure the blessings of liberty. Sincerely, Ben Carson |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: Learn about the United States U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 2009 Learn About the United States is intended to help permanent residents gain a deeper understanding of U.S. history and government as they prepare to become citizens. The product presents 96 short lessons, based on the sample questions from which the civics portion of the naturalization test is drawn. An audio CD that allows students to listen to the questions, answers, and civics lessons read aloud is also included. For immigrants preparing to naturalize, the chance to learn more about the history and government of the United States will make their journey toward citizenship a more meaningful one. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the People , 2007 Introduces the history and principles of constitutional democracy. This edition includes performance assessment materials and suggested reading lists for students and teachers. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: Compromise and the American Founding Alin Fumurescu, 2019-09-05 An original interpretation of 'the people's two bodies' that illuminates the opposite attitudes toward compromise throughout the American founding. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: Keeping Faith with the Constitution Goodwin Liu, Pamela S. Karlan, Christopher H. Schroeder, 2010-08-05 Chief Justice John Marshall argued that a constitution requires that only its great outlines should be marked [and] its important objects designated. Ours is intended to endure for ages to come, and consequently, to be adapted to the various crises of human affairs. In recent years, Marshall's great truths have been challenged by proponents of originalism and strict construction. Such legal thinkers as Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia argue that the Constitution must be construed and applied as it was when the Framers wrote it. In Keeping Faith with the Constitution, three legal authorities make the case for Marshall's vision. They describe their approach as constitutional fidelity--not to how the Framers would have applied the Constitution, but to the text and principles of the Constitution itself. The original understanding of the text is one source of interpretation, but not the only one; to preserve the meaning and authority of the document, to keep it vital, applications of the Constitution must be shaped by precedent, historical experience, practical consequence, and societal change. The authors range across the history of constitutional interpretation to show how this approach has been the source of our greatest advances, from Brown v. Board of Education to the New Deal, from the Miranda decision to the expansion of women's rights. They delve into the complexities of voting rights, the malapportionment of legislative districts, speech freedoms, civil liberties and the War on Terror, and the evolution of checks and balances. The Constitution's framers could never have imagined DNA, global warming, or even women's equality. Yet these and many more realities shape our lives and outlook. Our Constitution will remain vital into our changing future, the authors write, if judges remain true to this rich tradition of adaptation and fidelity. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: The Oath and the Office: A Guide to the Constitution for Future Presidents Corey Brettschneider, 2018-09-18 A cleareyed, accessible, and informative primer: vital reading for all Americans. —Kirkus Reviews, starred review Can the president launch a nuclear attack without congressional approval? Is it ever a crime to criticize the president? Can states legally resist a president’s executive order? In today’s fraught political climate, it often seems as if we must become constitutional law scholars just to understand the news from Washington, let alone make a responsible decision at the polls. The Oath and the Office is the book we need, right now and into the future, whether we are voting for or running to become president of the United States. Constitutional law scholar and political science professor Corey Brettschneider guides us through the Constitution and explains the powers—and limits—that it places on the presidency. From the document itself and from American history’s most famous court cases, we learn why certain powers were granted to the presidency, how the Bill of Rights limits those powers, and what “we the people” can do to influence the nation’s highest public office—including, if need be, removing the person in it. In these brief yet deeply researched chapters, we meet founding fathers such as James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, as well as key figures from historic cases such as Brown v. Board of Education and Korematsu v. United States. Brettschneider breathes new life into the articles and amendments that we once read about in high school civics class, but that have real impact on our lives today. The Oath and the Office offers a compact, comprehensive tour of the Constitution, and empowers all readers, voters, and future presidents with the knowledge and confidence to read and understand one of our nation’s most important founding documents. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: This is Our Constitution Khizr Khan, Anne Quirk, 2017 The author traces his family's experiences immigrating to the U.S. to introduce the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, explaining how it represents America's democratic values and discussing the importance of the documents' history. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: Reconstituting the Constitution Caroline Morris, Jonathan Boston, Petra Butler, 2011-09-01 All nation states, whether ancient or newly created, must examine their constitutional fundamentals to keep their constitutions relevant and dynamic. Constitutional change has greater legitimacy when the questions are debated before the people and accepted by them. Who are the peoples in this state? What role should they have in relation to the government? What rights should they have? Who should be Head of State? What is our constitutional relationship with other nation states? What is the influence of international law on our domestic system? What process should constitutional change follow? In this volume, scholars, practitioners, politicians, public officials, and young people explore these questions and others in relation to the New Zealand constitution and provide some thought-provoking answers. This book is recommended for anyone seeking insight into how a former British colony with bicultural foundations is making the transition to a multicultural society in an increasingly complex and globalised world. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: A More Perfect Constitution Larry J. Sabato, 2010-07-23 The reader can't help but hold out hope that maybe someday, some of these sweeping changes could actually bring the nation's government out of its intellectual quagmire...his lively, conversational tone and compelling examples make the reader a more than willing student for this updated civics lesson. --The Hill The political book of the year, from the acclaimed founder and director of the Center for politics at the University of Virginia. A More Perfect Constitution presents creative and dynamic proposals from one of the most visionary and fertile political minds of our time to reinvigorate our Constitution and American governance at a time when such change is urgently needed, given the growing dysfunction and unfairness of our political system . Combining idealism and pragmatism, and with full respect for the original document, Larry Sabato's thought-provoking ideas range from the length of the president's term in office and the number and terms of Supreme Court justices to the vagaries of the antiquated Electoral College, and a compelling call for universal national service-all laced through with the history behind each proposal and the potential impact on the lives of ordinary people. Aware that such changes won't happen easily, but that the original Framers fully expected the Constitution to be regularly revised, Sabato urges us to engage in the debate and discussion his ideas will surely engender. During an election year, no book is more relevant or significant than this. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: A People's History of the Supreme Court Peter Irons, 2006-07-25 A comprehensive history of the people and cases that have changed history, this is the definitive account of the nation's highest court featuring a forward by Howard Zinn Recent changes in the Supreme Court have placed the venerable institution at the forefront of current affairs, making this comprehensive and engaging work as timely as ever. In the tradition of Howard Zinn's classic A People's History of the United States, Peter Irons chronicles the decisions that have influenced virtually every aspect of our society, from the debates over judicial power to controversial rulings in the past regarding slavery, racial segregation, and abortion, as well as more current cases about school prayer, the Bush/Gore election results, and enemy combatants. To understand key issues facing the supreme court and the current battle for the court's ideological makeup, there is no better guide than Peter Irons. This revised and updated edition includes a foreword by Howard Zinn. A sophisticated narrative history of the Supreme Court . . . [Irons] breathes abundant life into old documents and reminds readers that today's fiercest arguments about rights are the continuation of the endless American conversation. -Publisher's Weekly (starred review) |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: The People Margaret Canovan, 2005-09-16 This groundbreaking study sets out to clarify one of the most influential but least studied of all political concepts. Despite continual talk of popular sovereignty, the idea of the people has been neglected by political theorists who have been deterred by its vagueness. Margaret Canovan argues that it deserves serious analysis, and that it's many ambiguities point to unresolved political issues. The book begins by charting the conflicting meanings of the people, especially in Anglo-American usage, and traces the concept's development from the ancient populus Romanus to the present day. The book's main purpose is, however, to analyse the political issues signalled by the people's ambiguities. In the remaining chapters, Margaret Canovan considers their theoretical and practical aspects: Where are the people's boundaries? Is people equivalent to nation, and how is it related to humanity - people in general? Populists aim to 'give power back to the people'; how is populism related to democracy? How can the sovereign people be an immortal collective body, but at the same time be us as individuals? Can we ever see that sovereign people in action? Political myths surround the figure of the people and help to explain its influence; should the people itself be regarded as fictional? This original and accessible study sheds a fresh light on debates about popular sovereignty, and will be an important resource for students and scholars of political theory. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the Corporations: How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights Adam Winkler, 2018-02-27 National Book Award for Nonfiction Finalist National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction Finalist A New York Times Notable Book of the Year A Washington Post Notable Book of the Year A PBS “Now Read This” Book Club Selection Named one of the Best Books of the Year by the Economist and the Boston Globe A landmark exposé and “deeply engaging legal history” of one of the most successful, yet least known, civil rights movements in American history (Washington Post). In a revelatory work praised as “excellent and timely” (New York Times Book Review, front page), Adam Winkler, author of Gunfight, once again makes sense of our fraught constitutional history in this incisive portrait of how American businesses seized political power, won “equal rights,” and transformed the Constitution to serve big business. Uncovering the deep roots of Citizens United, he repositions that controversial 2010 Supreme Court decision as the capstone of a centuries-old battle for corporate personhood. “Tackling a topic that ought to be at the heart of political debate” (Economist), Winkler surveys more than four hundred years of diverse cases—and the contributions of such legendary legal figures as Daniel Webster, Roger Taney, Lewis Powell, and even Thurgood Marshall—to reveal that “the history of corporate rights is replete with ironies” (Wall Street Journal). We the Corporations is an uncompromising work of history to be read for years to come. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: The Odd Clauses Jay Wexler, 2011 An innovative, insightful, and often humorous look at the Constitution's lesser-known clauses, offering a fresh approach to understanding our democracy. In this captivating and witty book, Jay Wexler draws on his extensive background in constitutional law to shine a much-deserved light on some of the Constitution's lesser-known parts. For a variety of reasons, many of the Constitution's odd clauses never make it to any court, and therefore never make headlines or even law school classrooms that teach from judicial decisions. Wexler delves into many of those more obscure passages, which he uses to illuminate the essence of our democratic process, including our tripartite government; the principles of equality, liberty, and privacy; and the integrity of our democracy-- |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: Too Young to Run? John Evan Seery, 2011 Examines the history, theory, and politics behind the age qualifications for elected federal office in the United States Constitution. Argues that the right to run for office ought to be extended to all adult-age citizens who are otherwise office-eligible--Provided by publisher. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: Terrorism and the Constitution David Cole, 2010-09 Tracing the history of government intrusions on Constitutional rights in response to threats from abroad, Cole and Dempsey warn that a society in which civil liberties are sacrificed in the name of national security is in fact less secure than one in which they are upheld. A new chapter includes a discussion of domestic spying, preventive detention, the many court challenges to post-9/11 abuses, implementation of the PATRIOT ACT, and efforts to reestablish the checks and balances left behind in the rush to strengthen governmental powers. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: Citizenship as Foundation of Rights Richard Sobel, 2016-10-26 Citizenship as Foundation of Rights explains what it means to have citizen rights and how national identification requirements undermine them. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: Congressional Record United States. Congress, 1965 The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873) |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: We the People Erwin Chemerinsky, 2018-11-13 This work will become the defining text on progressive constitutionalism — a parallel to Thomas Picketty’s contribution but for all who care deeply about constitutional law. Beautifully written and powerfully argued, this is a masterpiece. --Lawrence Lessig, Harvard Law School, and author of Free Culture Worried about what a super conservative majority on the Supreme Court means for the future of civil liberties? From gun control to reproductive health, a conservative court will reshape the lives of all Americans for decades to come. The time to develop and defend a progressive vision of the U.S. Constitution that protects the rights of all people is now. University of California Berkeley Dean and respected legal scholar Erwin Chemerinsky expertly exposes how conservatives are using the Constitution to advance their own agenda that favors business over consumers and employees, and government power over individual rights. But exposure is not enough. Progressives have spent too much of the last forty-five years trying to preserve the legacy of the Warren Court’s most important rulings and reacting to the Republican-dominated Supreme Courts by criticizing their erosion of rights—but have not yet developed a progressive vision for the Constitution itself. Yet, if we just look to the promise of the Preamble—liberty and justice for all—and take seriously its vision, a progressive reading of the Constitution can lead us forward as we continue our fight ensuring democratic rule, effective government, justice, liberty, and equality. Includes the Complete Constitution and Amendments of the United States of America |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: A People's Constitution Rohit De, 2020-08-04 It has long been contended that the Indian Constitution of 1950, a document in English created by elite consensus, has had little influence on India’s greater population. Drawing upon the previously unexplored records of the Supreme Court of India, A People’s Constitution upends this narrative and shows how the Constitution actually transformed the daily lives of citizens in profound and lasting ways. This remarkable legal process was led by individuals on the margins of society, and Rohit De looks at how drinkers, smugglers, petty vendors, butchers, and prostitutes—all despised minorities—shaped the constitutional culture. The Constitution came alive in the popular imagination so much that ordinary people attributed meaning to its existence, took recourse to it, and argued with it. Focusing on the use of constitutional remedies by citizens against new state regulations seeking to reshape the society and economy, De illustrates how laws and policies were frequently undone or renegotiated from below using the state’s own procedures. De examines four important cases that set legal precedents: a Parsi journalist’s contestation of new alcohol prohibition laws, Marwari petty traders’ challenge to the system of commodity control, Muslim butchers’ petition against cow protection laws, and sex workers’ battle to protect their right to practice prostitution. Exploring how the Indian Constitution of 1950 enfranchised the largest population in the world, A People’s Constitution considers the ways that ordinary citizens produced, through litigation, alternative ethical models of citizenship. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: How Constitutional Rights Matter Adam S. Chilton, Mila Versteeg, 2020 Do countries that add rights to their constitutions actually do better at protecting those rights? This study draws on global statistical analyses and survey experiments to answer this question. It explores whether constitutionalizing rights improves respect for those rights in practice. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: How to Read the Constitution—and Why Kim Wehle, 2019-06-25 “A must-read for this era” that lays out in common sense language how the US Constitution works, and how its protections are eroding before our eyes (Jake Tapper, CNN Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent). The Constitution is the most significant document in America. But do you fully understand what it means to you? In How to Read the Constitution—and Why, legal expert and educator Kimberly Wehle spells out in clear, simple, and common-sense language what is in the Constitution, and most importantly, what it means. In compelling terms and including text from the United States Constitution, she describes how its protections are eroding—not only in express terms but by virtue of the many legal and social norms that no longer shore up its legitimacy—and why every American needs to heed to this “red flag” moment. This invaluable—and timely—resource includes the Constitution in its entirety and covers nearly every significant aspect of the text, from the powers of the President and how the three branches of government are designed to hold each other accountable, to what it means to have individual rights—including free speech, the right to bear arms, the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the right to an abortion. Finally, the book explains why it has never been more important than now for all Americans to know how our Constitution works—and why, if we don’t step in to protect it, we could lose its protections forever. How to Read the Constitution—and Why is essential reading for anyone who cares about maintaining an accountable government and the individual freedoms that the Constitution enshrines for everyone in America—regardless of political party. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: On Constitutional Disobedience Louis Michael Seidman, 2012 In On Constitutional Disobedience, leading constitutional scholar Louis Michael Seidman explains why constitutional disobedience may well produce a better politics and considers the shape that such disobedience might take. First, though, he stresses that is worth remembering the primary goals of the original Constitution's authors, many of which were unseemly both then and now. Should we really feel obligated to defend our electoral college or various other features that arguably lead to unjust results? Yet many of our political debates revolve around constitutional features that no one loves but which everyone feels obligated to defend. After walking through the various defenses put forth by proponents of the US Constitutional system, Seidman shows why none of them hold up. The solution, he claims, is to abandon our loyalty to many of the document's requirements and instead embrace the Constitution as a 'poetic' vision of a just society. Lest we worry that forsaking the Constitution will result in anarchy, we only need to remember Great Britain, which functions very effectively without a written constitution. If we were to do this, we could design sensible institutions that fit our own era and craft solutions that have the support of today's majorities. Seidman worries that if we continue to embrace the anachronistic commands of a centuries-old document, our political and institutional dysfunction will only increase. The answer is not to abandon the Constitution in its entirety, but to treat it as an inspiration while disobeying the many particulars that deserve to go into history's dustbin. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: Land of Hope Wilfred M. McClay, 2020-09-22 For too long we’ve lacked a compact, inexpensive, authoritative, and compulsively readable book that offers American readers a clear, informative, and inspiring narrative account of their country. Such a fresh retelling of the American story is especially needed today, to shape and deepen young Americans’ sense of the land they inhabit, help them to understand its roots and share in its memories, all the while equipping them for the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship in American society The existing texts simply fail to tell that story with energy and conviction. Too often they reflect a fragmented outlook that fails to convey to American readers the grand trajectory of their own history. This state of affairs cannot continue for long without producing serious consequences. A great nation needs and deserves a great and coherent narrative, as an expression of its own self-understanding and its aspirations; and it needs to be able to convey that narrative to its young effectively. Of course, it goes without saying that such a narrative cannot be a fairy tale of the past. It will not be convincing if it is not truthful. But as Land of Hope brilliantly shows, there is no contradiction between a truthful account of the American past and an inspiring one. Readers of Land of Hope will find both in its pages. |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: The Heritage Guide to the Constitution David F. Forte, Matthew Spalding, 2014-09-16 A landmark work of more than one hundred scholars, The Heritage Guide to the Constitution is a unique line-by-line analysis explaining every clause of America's founding charter and its contemporary meaning. In this fully revised second edition, leading scholars in law, history, and public policy offer more than two hundred updated and incisive essays on every clause of the Constitution. From the stirring words of the Preamble to the Twenty-seventh Amendment, you will gain new insights into the ideas that made America, important debates that continue from our Founding, and the Constitution's true meaning for our nation |
| we the people the citizen and the constitution: American Government 3e Glen Krutz, Sylvie Waskiewicz, 2023-05-12 Black & white print. American Government 3e aligns with the topics and objectives of many government courses. Faculty involved in the project have endeavored to make government workings, issues, debates, and impacts meaningful and memorable to students while maintaining the conceptual coverage and rigor inherent in the subject. With this objective in mind, the content of this textbook has been developed and arranged to provide a logical progression from the fundamental principles of institutional design at the founding, to avenues of political participation, to thorough coverage of the political structures that constitute American government. The book builds upon what students have already learned and emphasizes connections between topics as well as between theory and applications. The goal of each section is to enable students not just to recognize concepts, but to work with them in ways that will be useful in later courses, future careers, and as engaged citizens. In order to help students understand the ways that government, society, and individuals interconnect, the revision includes more examples and details regarding the lived experiences of diverse groups and communities within the United States. The authors and reviewers sought to strike a balance between confronting the negative and harmful elements of American government, history, and current events, while demonstrating progress in overcoming them. In doing so, the approach seeks to provide instructors with ample opportunities to open discussions, extend and update concepts, and drive deeper engagement. |
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution - Civic Ed
The Center’s flagship civic education program, We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, was developed in 1987 and adopted by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, chaired by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, as the principal education program of the federal Constitution’s bicentennial.
We The People The Citizen And The Constitution (Download …
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution high school textbook explains the principles of American constitutional democracy and citizenship. Features include critical thinking exercises, writing activities, a full glossary, the complete text of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and other founding documents.
WE, THE PEOPLE - Electoral Reform Society
7 WE, THE PEOPLE Lessons on designing a citizens’ assembly engagement in British democracy. There is already much to celebrate about new models of decision making being tested and adopted across the country. A nationwide conversation about where power lies and how democracy works for people could embrace these innovations and develop them ...
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
We the People–The Citizen and the Constitution is a course of study that enhances the civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions that lead to responsible citizenship. The
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution - ed
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is an educational program developed by the Center for Civic Education. The program instructs students on the history and principles of American constitutional democracy with the primary goal of promoting civic competence and responsibility among the nation’s elementary, middle, and secondary ...
THE MEANING(S) OF “THE PEOPLE” IN THE CONSTITUTION
How does the phrase "We the People" in the Constitution refer to different individuals in different amendments? This article analyzes the Supreme Court's conflicting interpretations of "the people" in Verdugo-Urquidez and Heller, and argues that they should not affect other clauses.
ED406265 1996-07-00 We the PeopleThe Citizen and the Constitution…
"We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution" high school classroom sets include 30 student books, a teacher's guide, a program participation handbook, 30 multiple choice tests, materials for performance assessment, and 30 certificates of achievement. A classroom set costs $250 plus 10% for shipping and handling costs. The student book
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Level 3
LESSON 1. What Did the Founders Think about Constitutional Government? ..............................................................3. LESSON 2. What Ideas about Civic Life Informed the Founding Generation? ..............................................................11. LESSON 3.
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution (We the People or WTP) is a program administered in Indiana by the Indiana Bar Foundation and nationally by the Center for Civic Education. It is designed to teach the history, philosophies, evolution, interpretation, and application of the U.S. Constitution, Bill of
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Guide to Building a We ...
The We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program is a dynamic curriculum and educational program. Each year, new teachers from across the country are attracted to the program and wish to involve themselves and their students in the competitive aspect or the culminating activity.
Updates to the Fourth Edition of We the People: The Citizen
This document lists the major changes made to the We the People third edition (2009) that are found in the fourth edition (2015). The full text of the added or updated sections is included as a service to our teachers.
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution - Indiana Bar …
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution (We the People or WTP) is a program administered in Indiana by the Indiana Bar Foundation and nationally by the Center for Civic Education. It is designed to teach the history, philosophies, evolution, interpretation, and application of the U.S. Constitution, Bill of
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution - ed
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is an educational program developed by the Center for Civic Education (the Center) on the history and principles of American constitutional democracy with the primary goal of promoting civic competence and responsibility among the nation’s elementary, middle, and secondary students.
We the People The Citizen and the Constitution - Civic Ed
• What parts of our Constitution indicate whether the United States is or is not a constitutional government? • Give an example of a nation in today's world that you think is not a constitutional
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Evaluation …
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution promotes understanding of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and American democracy. The We the People program, developed by the Center for Civic Education, is implemented in all fifty states.
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution - Civic Ed
Introduction. The purpose of this correlation is to show how We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Levels I, II, and III, fit Maine’s Social Studies Framework and Standards. The first column of the chart lists the standard tasks that third- through fifth-grade students must perform to meet the Maine standards.
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution - LawForKids
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution . 9th-12th grade Level Three Textbook Correlation aligned to Arizona History & Social Science Anchor Standards. Jake Harvey. Overview of Unit 1: What Are the Philosophical and Historical Foundations of the American Political System? Arizona Civics Course Considerations found in Unit 1:
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution - LawForKids
“We the People” 2020 Edition Correlation with AZ Social Science/History Standards 3 Key concepts include but are not limited to disease, farming, family structure, housing, cultural assimilation, cultural amalgamation, climate, transportation, domestication of animals, clothing,
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Teacher …
• Teach the We the People: The Citizen and The Constitution Program • Engage students in a culminating Mock Congressional Hearing in the classroom - we provide lawyer/judge support. Meet the Scholars:
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution - Civic Ed
The Center’s flagship civic education program, We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, was developed in 1987 and adopted by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, chaired by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, as the principal education program of the federal Constitution’s bicentennial.
We The People The Citizen And The Constitution (Download Only)
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution high school textbook explains the principles of American constitutional democracy and citizenship. Features include critical thinking exercises, writing activities, a full glossary, the complete text of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and other founding documents.
WE, THE PEOPLE - Electoral Reform Society
7 WE, THE PEOPLE Lessons on designing a citizens’ assembly engagement in British democracy. There is already much to celebrate about new models of decision making being tested and adopted across the country. A nationwide conversation about where power lies and how democracy works for people could embrace these innovations and develop them ...
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
We the People–The Citizen and the Constitution is a course of study that enhances the civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions that lead to responsible citizenship. The
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution - ed
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is an educational program developed by the Center for Civic Education. The program instructs students on the history and principles of American constitutional democracy with the primary goal of promoting civic competence and responsibility among the nation’s elementary, middle, and secondary ...
THE MEANING(S) OF “THE PEOPLE” IN THE CONSTITUTION
How does the phrase "We the People" in the Constitution refer to different individuals in different amendments? This article analyzes the Supreme Court's conflicting interpretations of "the people" in Verdugo-Urquidez and Heller, and argues that they should not affect other clauses.
ED406265 1996-07-00 We the PeopleThe Citizen and the Constitution…
"We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution" high school classroom sets include 30 student books, a teacher's guide, a program participation handbook, 30 multiple choice tests, materials for performance assessment, and 30 certificates of achievement. A classroom set costs $250 plus 10% for shipping and handling costs. The student book
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Level 3
LESSON 1. What Did the Founders Think about Constitutional Government? ..............................................................3. LESSON 2. What Ideas about Civic Life Informed the Founding Generation? ..............................................................11. LESSON 3.
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution (We the People or WTP) is a program administered in Indiana by the Indiana Bar Foundation and nationally by the Center for Civic Education. It is designed to teach the history, philosophies, evolution, interpretation, and application of the U.S. Constitution, Bill of
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Guide to Building a We ...
The We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program is a dynamic curriculum and educational program. Each year, new teachers from across the country are attracted to the program and wish to involve themselves and their students in the competitive aspect or the culminating activity.
Updates to the Fourth Edition of We the People: The Citizen & the ...
This document lists the major changes made to the We the People third edition (2009) that are found in the fourth edition (2015). The full text of the added or updated sections is included as a service to our teachers.
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution - Indiana Bar …
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution (We the People or WTP) is a program administered in Indiana by the Indiana Bar Foundation and nationally by the Center for Civic Education. It is designed to teach the history, philosophies, evolution, interpretation, and application of the U.S. Constitution, Bill of
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution - ed
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is an educational program developed by the Center for Civic Education (the Center) on the history and principles of American constitutional democracy with the primary goal of promoting civic competence and responsibility among the nation’s elementary, middle, and secondary students.
We the People The Citizen and the Constitution - Civic Ed
• What parts of our Constitution indicate whether the United States is or is not a constitutional government? • Give an example of a nation in today's world that you think is not a constitutional
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Evaluation Brief
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution promotes understanding of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and American democracy. The We the People program, developed by the Center for Civic Education, is implemented in all fifty states.
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution - Civic Ed
Introduction. The purpose of this correlation is to show how We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Levels I, II, and III, fit Maine’s Social Studies Framework and Standards. The first column of the chart lists the standard tasks that third- through fifth-grade students must perform to meet the Maine standards.
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution - LawForKids
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution . 9th-12th grade Level Three Textbook Correlation aligned to Arizona History & Social Science Anchor Standards. Jake Harvey. Overview of Unit 1: What Are the Philosophical and Historical Foundations of the American Political System? Arizona Civics Course Considerations found in Unit 1:
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution - LawForKids
“We the People” 2020 Edition Correlation with AZ Social Science/History Standards 3 Key concepts include but are not limited to disease, farming, family structure, housing, cultural assimilation, cultural amalgamation, climate, transportation, domestication of animals, clothing,
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Teacher …
• Teach the We the People: The Citizen and The Constitution Program • Engage students in a culminating Mock Congressional Hearing in the classroom - we provide lawyer/judge support. Meet the Scholars:
