What did the Founders think
about constitutional government? WtheP Lesson 1
Ms. Ramos
What did the founders
learn about government?
Ms. Ramos
Purpose of govt• Help people learn about and perform their civic and moral duties
Ms. Ramos
Greek & Roman history
• Democracy tends to end in tyranny
• Class warfare breeds disorder
Ms. Ramos
Natural Rights• People have natural rights others must respect
Ms. Ramos
UK history• Monarch can evolve into free govt
Ms. Ramos
Colonial history• Local self-gov could exist w/
distant central authority
Ms. Ramos
MOST IMP LESSONS
•Gov should be the servant of the people
•Constitution should limit the govt
Ms. Ramos
What forms of government
could the Founders
choose from?Ms. Ramos
1. Mixed Constitution• Plato’s categories:
–Aristocracy–Timocracy–Oligarchy–Democracy–Tyranny
Ms. Ramos
• Aristotle- Polybius–Rule by one, few, and many.
–Functions of gov: deliberation, execution, judging
Ms. Ramos
2. Roman Republic• Consuls• Senators• Assemblymen• Perfects
Ms. Ramos
3. Democracy• People rule (demos kratos)
• Small- direct rule possible• Large-people choose representatives
Ms. Ramos
What is a constitution?
• Establish principles & rules• Written or unwritten• Limited govt: restraints on
power by constitution
Ms. Ramos
How did the Founders
characterize higher law?
Ms. Ramos
• Sets basic rights• Est responsibility of govt • Est limitations on govt• Changed only by citizens
Ms. Ramos
