West Coast American Leadership Academy

Political Science 5 – Western Political Thought

Spring 2016 / Fall 2016 – Power Point 3

Course Lecture Topics

1. Stabilization & Instability

2. Globalization

3. Articles of Confederation

4. Northwest Ordinance

5. Constitution As An Elitist Document

6. Bill Of Rights

7. Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”

8. Thomas Paine’s “American Crisis”

Stabilization

Sudden instability is the greatest threat to humanity for it

threatens to cause irreparable harm to the individual. One may

never consider harming another person in a state of nature.

Elimination of one’s sustenance throws the individual into a state

of war, because their survival is now threatened. Nation-states

consist of multiple spheres of interest in turn consisting of

individual units consisting of people. As survival is the primary

goal of man, so it is the ultimate pursuit of nation-states. The

primary concern is that of stability. This philosophy has prevented

a major war from taking place over the last sixty years. Instability

is the primary cause of all conflict both within and between

nation-states.

Instability:

Nightmare Scenario

Sudden instability results in the

potential destruction of a relationship.

Everyone has experienced the

negative effects of instability.

Relationships between loved ones is

just one of many examples. One

major cause of rampant instability is

the breakdown of communication

between spheres. This is a video

documentary titled “First Strike." It

presents a nightmare scenario

resulting from souring relations

between the United States and the

Soviet Union.

Globalization (1)

Globalization is a process that seems to create a more unified

world united in a single economic system. Globalization continues

to be cited as a cause for the withering away of the state.

Technology has allowed mankind to realize globalization.

Liberalism and its market-based order continue to be the primary

motivator for technological innovation that in turn has rendered

previous norms obsolete. One can argue that this constant drive

may in time render international strife, conflict and other assorted

calamities obsolete. Liberals would argue that globalization is a

trend toward the transformation of world politics with states no

longer remaining sealed units.

Globalization (2)

Globalization may be seen as a homogenization process thatequalizes prices, products, wages, wealth, rates of interest andprofit margins. It is a movement that can spark resistance bothwithin the United States as well as around the world. This cancome from religious fundamentalists, labor unions and other typesof special interest groups. Globalization has so far onlyencompassed western countries, Israel and certain Asiancountries like Japan, South Korea and China. Most of the worldhas been left out, including Africa, Latin America, Russia, MiddleEast and swaths of Asia.

Globalization (3)

This political piece explores the

effects of globalization. One can

argue that globalization has

extended people’s buying power.

Dollars can be stretched must

further thanks to lower labor

costs found in distant lands. “Big

Box-Mart” argues that cheap

goods does present a serious

side effect. Does the message

relate to your personal belief

about our present global

economy?

• Government under the Articles Of Confederation.

Established a “firm league of friendship.”

Identified powers belonging to the national government.

Reassured each state of its:

sovereignty.

freedom.

independence.

• Repayment of loans made to Congress.

Investors who backed the American war effort had

difficulty securing their loans.

Without the power to tax, the future of the American

government looked bleak.

Articles Of Confederation (1)

Articles Of Confederation (2)

Though the American Revolution was that of ideas, it was a full out

war. Victorious, the thirteen colonies established and lived under the

Articles of Confederation until the adoption of the Constitution of

1787. Revolutionary itself, the Articles of Confederation provided little

assistance for a nation absent of leaders who possessed experience

in governing the whole country. The Articles of Confederation linked

the thirteen colonies in mainly defensive guarantees. Though a

congress with typical authority associated with a central government

was established with normal duties including the right to declare war,

engage in treaties and coin money, there lacked an executive branch

to enforce decisions. Congress was state directed, with each state

having a single vote. Nine out of thirteen states had to agree if

anything were to be passed.

• Protection of bankers and creditors.

State-issued paper money permitted debtors to pay offcreditors with money worth less than they originally owned.

• Opening western land to speculation.

Need a strong central government.

With enough military power to oust the British from thenorthwest.

To protect settlers against Indian attacks.

• Provide protection and promote settlements.

Cause land values to increase.

Make land speculators rich.

Articles Of Confederation (3)

Northwest Ordinance (1)

• Known formally as “An Ordinance for the Territory of the United

States, North-West of the River Ohio” or as the “Freedom

Ordinance.”

• Act of the Continental Congress of the United States passed on

July 13, 1787 under the Articles of Confederation.

• Northwest Territory was the first organized territory.

• Stretched from the region south of the Great Lakes to north and

west of the Ohio River, and east of the Mississippi River.

• United States Congress Congress affirmed the Ordinance on

August, 1789 with slight modifications under the Constitution.

• United States would expand westward by the admission of new

states and not the expansion of existing states.

Northwest Ordinance (2)

• It established the precedent by which the United States would

expand westward across North America by the admission of

new states, rather than by the expansion of existing states.

• Banning slavery in the territory established the Ohio River as

the boundary between free and slave territories between the

Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River.

• Protection of shipping and manufacturing. Strong navy important to American commercial interests. Tariff barriers not adequate against foreign goods.

• Ensuring the return of runaway slaves. Protection of human “property” sought. Slavery was lawful in 1787, except in Massachusetts. Nation’s founders prepared to protect slavery. Southern economy highly dependent on slaves.

• Exercising powers in world affairs. Confederation held in contempt by Britain and barbary

states Elites wanted to assume role in the international

community and exercise power in world affairs.

Elite Preferences:

Inspiration For New Constitution

• Annapolis Convention.

Report that outlined defects in the Articles Of

Confederation.

Called upon states to send delegates to new

convention to suggest remedies.

• George Washington's prestige.

55 men chose George Washington in the

summer of 1787.

Stood at the apex of American elite structure.

National Elite Formation

• Founders’ governing experience – wealthy individuals.

Wealth assumed a variety of forms:

land, ships, business inventories, slaves, credit,

bonds, paper money

• Founders’ “continental” view.

Cosmopolitanism distinguished the men of

Philadelphia from the masses.

“Continental” point of view for political, economic, &

military issues.

Members of the elite extended their loyalties

beyond their states.

National Elite Formation

• Goal of government is to protect liberty and property.

• Origin of government is implied contract among people.

• Elites believe in:

• a republican government.

• a limited government not threatening liberty or property.

• a strong national government that can:

establish justice.

insure domestic tranquility.

provide for the common defense.

promote the general welfare.

secure the blessings of liberty.

Elite Consensus In 1787

• Representation Compromise.

Addressed representation in the national legislature.

• Slavery compromise – the three-fifths compromise.

For tax and representation purposes, slaves counted as

three-fifths of a person.

• Export tax compromise – between planters and merchants.

Articles exported from any state bears no tax or duty.

Imports could only be taxed by the national government.

• Voter qualification compromise.

Concerned qualifications for voting and holding office .

Electors in states should qualify for electors of the most

numerous branch of the state legislatures.

Women could not participate in government.

An Elite In Operation:

Conciliation And Compromise

• Elites benefited more directly and immediately than nonelites.

• Levying taxes. Congress given power to tariff.

• Regulating commerce –the Interstate Commerce Clause &the provision in Article I, Section 9. Created free trade area over the thirteen states. The arrangement was beneficial for American merchants.

• Protecting money and property. Congress gains control over currency and credit.

The Constitution As Elitist

Document

• Creating the military –two purposes.

Army & navy promote commercial & territorial ambitions.

Protection from invasion.

• Protecting against revolution.

Protect government from revolution by providing military.

Protect slaveholders from slave revolt.

• Protecting slavery.

Congress outlawed the import of slaves after 1808.

Protect existing property and slaves.

The Constitution As Elitist

Document

• Limiting states in business affairs.

Prevents states “impairing the obligation of contracts.”

• Limiting states in monetary affairs.

Provided protection to elite.

• States could not:

coin money.

issue paper money.

make money other than gold or silver.

coin legal tender in payment of debt.

The Constitution

As Elitist Document

• Structure reflects desire to protect liberty and property.

• Elite control government and policy decisions. National supremacy – congressional control of decisions. Republicanism – representative government.

• Separated powers in the national government. Bulwark against majoritarianism. Additional safeguard for elite liberty & property. Divides responsibilities. Difficult to hold government accountable for public policy.

Elitism And The Structure Of

The National Government

• Ratification rules designed to give clear advantage to

supporters of Constitution.

Special ratifying conventions called.

Extraordinary ratification procedure.

Minority of population ratified the Constitution.

• Emergence of anti-federalist opposition.

Feared a strong federal government’s control.

Confidence in ability to control state government.

• The Bill Of Rights as afterthought.

Criticism centered on the absence of Bill Of Rights.

Ratification: An Exercise In

Elite Political Skills

Bill Of Rights (1)

During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its

opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as

drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central

government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the

British violation of civil rights before and during the

Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would

spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state

conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution

asked for such amendments; others ratified the

Constitution with the understanding that the amendments

would be offered.

Bill Of Rights (2)

On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United

States therefore proposed to the state legislatures 12

amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most

frequently advanced against it. The first two proposed

amendments, which concerned the number of

constituents for each Representative and the

compensation of Congressmen, were not ratified. Articles

3 to 12, however, ratified by three-fourths of the state

legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the

Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.

Bill Of Rights (3)

The Preamble to The Bill of Rights Congress of the United States –

Begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of

March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine. THE Conventions

of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the

Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or

abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses

should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in

the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United

States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses

concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of

the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United

States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the

said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the

said Constitution; viz.

Bill Of Rights (4)

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution

of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and

ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to

the fifth Article of the original Constitution. The following text

is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the

Constitution in their original form. These amendments were

ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the

"Bill of Rights."

Bill Of Rights (5)

Amendment I - Congress shall make no law respecting an

establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise

thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or

the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition

the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II - A well regulated Militia, being necessary to

the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and

bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III - No Soldier shall, in time of peace be

quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor

in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Bill Of Rights (6)

Amendment IV - The right of the people to be secure in their

persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable

searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants

shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or

affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be

searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Bill Of Rights (7)

Amendment V - No person shall be held to answer for a

capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment

or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the

land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in

time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject

for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;

nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness

against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property,

without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken

for public use, without just compensation.

Bill Of Rights (8)

Amendment VI - In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall

enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury

of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been

committed, which district shall have been previously

ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause

of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against

him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his

favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII - In Suits at common law, where the value in

controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury

shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be

otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than

according to the rules of the common law.

Bill Of Rights (9)

Amendment VIII - Excessive bail shall not be required, nor

excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments

inflicted.

Amendment IX - The enumeration in the Constitution, of

certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage

others retained by the people.

Amendment X - The powers not delegated to the United

States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States,

are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Thomas Paine’s

“Common Sense” (1)• Arguments against British rule in Common Sense:

It is ridiculous and against natural law for an island to

rule a continent.

Europe is unlikely to see peace for long and whenever a

war breaks out between England and a foreign power,

the trade of America would go to ruin due to the

economic connection.

It is no longer a "British nation"; it is composed of

influences from all of Europe.

Even if Britain was originally the "mother country" of

America, that makes her current actions all the more

horrendous, for no true mother would harm her children

so deplorably.

Thomas Paine’s

“Common Sense” (2) Remaining a part of Britain will drag America into

unnecessary European wars, and keep it from the

international commerce at which America excels.

That government is best that governs least. Society

represents all that is good about humanity, government

represents all that is bad about it.

The distance between the two nations makes the lag in

communication time about a year for something to go

round trip. If there was something wrong in the

government, it would take a year before the colonies

would hear back.

Thomas Paine’s

“Common Sense” (3) The New World was discovered shortly after the

Reformation. This was evidence for the Puritans that

God wanted to give them America as a safe haven free

from the persecution of British rule.

Criticizes the English Constitution, saying that the right

for the House of Commons to "check" the king is

ridiculous, as the king is given the right to rule by God,

therefore, he needs no "checking."

Thomas Paine’s

“American Crisis” (1)The first of the pamphlets was released during a time when

the Revolution still looked an unsteady prospect at best; the

famous opening line is "These are the times that try men's

souls." The pamphlet did attempt to bolster morale and

resistance among Patriots, as well as shame neutrals and

Loyalists toward the cause. "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily

conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the

harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

Thomas Paine’s

“American Crisis” (2)

Along with the patriotic nature of The American Crisis, it

displayed the strong religious beliefs that provided additional

rationale for a religiously and socially conservative continent,

inciting the laity with suggestions that the British are trying

assume powers that only the Christian God should have.

Paine sees the British political and military maneuvers in

America as, “impious; for so unlimited a power can belong

only to God.” Paine states that he believes God supports the

American cause, “that God Almighty will not give up a people

to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to

perish, who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to

avoid the calamities of war, by ever decent method which

wisdom could invent.”

Thomas Paine’s

“American Crisis” (3)

Paine takes great lengths to state that Americans do not want

force, but "a proper application of that force" - implying

throughout that an extended war can only lead to defeat

unless a stable army was composed not of militia but of

trained professionals. But Paine maintains a positive view

overall, hoping that this American crisis can be quickly

resolved; "For though the flame of liberty may sometimes

cease to shine, the embers can never expire."