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The Pros And Cons Of The Constitution

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When the Framers of the Constitution met in Philadelphia in 1787, they sought to establish a government that would not only satisfy the current needs of the nation and guard against tyranny, but serve as a guide for future generations as well. The Constitution they drafted continues to shape our country and define our government today, but the Framers could not have possibly predicted all future threats to democracy and liberty that would eventually present themselves. Although measures were taken to prevent the concentration of authority from being held by one individual or one group of individuals, such as the creation of separate branches of government that would check the power of one another, the rise of populist demagogues in the last century has raised the question of whether or not the …show more content…

The system of checks and balances and a division of power within the federal government inhibits the rise of tyranny to an extent, but does little to protect against strategic politicians appealing to the masses with a dangerous rhetoric who are “democratically” voted into office. The recent presidential election makes it clear that our outdated system allows these leaders to rise to the top, bringing with them a harmful administration that poses a threat to American citizens, and our nation as a whole. In Federalist No. 10, James Madison assured skeptics of the Constitution that “the influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other States.” The idea that a large republic would prevent the corruption of government by corrupt individuals is challenged by the case of Louisiana governor and U.S. Senator, Huey Long. During the time of economic inequality and depression in the 1930s, Long attracted the support of the masses with his

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