The supposition that constitutionalists believe that the federal Constitution magically limits/inhibits government simply through words on parchment is nothing but a caricature and straw-man. Almost no one believes this, or argues in such a way.
All contracts, written constitutions or not, are only as good as the enforcement of their stipulations and the continuance of their principles. All of these things, of course, take civic virtue and a tireless, committed population of individuals who cherish liberty. Lacking these factors, all contracts read only as dead letters.
James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, St. George Tucker, and many others said the same.
Dave Benner [website] speaks and writes on topics related to the United States Constitution, founding principles, and the early republic. Dave is also the author of Thomas Paine: A Lifetime of Radicalism and Compact of the Republic: The League of States and the Constitution. See his blog archive here, his article archive here, and his patreon page here.
Latest posts by Dave Benner (see all)
- Today in History: Newly Independent American States Sign Treaty of Alliance With France - February 6, 2024
- Thomas Paine: A Lifetime of Radicalism - October 3, 2023
- Thomas Paine Played Dodgeball With Death - September 23, 2023