Chapter 2, Part VII

Questions to Consider:

• In what ways does the Constitution contrast the Declaration of Independence and place limits on individual liberties and a truly democratic government?
• To what extent is the Constitution a democratic document?
• Does the Bill of Rights balance out the limits to personal liberties that are proposed in other parts of the Constitution?
• Why would the Constitution say nothing about who can and cannot vote?
• Doesn't that in itself show that the original Constitution was undemocratic?
• How has the government become more democratic over time?
• What rights do we have now that we did not have when the Constitution was ratified?
• Does this imply that the Constitution both limits the tyranny of the majority as well as its own tyranny?
• Does the system of checks and balances make it difficult for government to act?
• Does it, indeed, reduce the scope of government in allowing one section of government from being too powerful?