USA Constitution's Significance: HIS 3410 Research Essay Analysis

This essay explores the enduring significance of the United States Constitution, examining its foundational principles, historical context, and continued relevance in both US and world history. It argues that the Constitution, designed with democratic precepts in mind, has provided a framework for a stable government while also undergoing necessary amendments to remain relevant. The essay addresses criticisms, such as claims that the Constitution primarily served the interests of the wealthy, and counters them by highlighting its broader benefits to a majority of citizens. Key components like the Bill of Rights and the concept of Due Process are discussed as vital elements contributing to the Constitution's stability and its ability to safeguard citizens' rights and reduce corruption. Ultimately, the essay concludes that the American Constitution, with its emphasis on democracy and the welfare of its people, remains a significant and adaptable document even in the 21st century.

Running head: USA CONSTITUTION AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
USA Constitution and its Significance
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1USA CONSTITUTION AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
The constitution of any nation forms one of the core components of the government of
the concerned nation and in a way decides the kind of government which that particular
nation is going to follow (Campbell & Goldsworthy, 2017). The same concept hold true for
the nation United States of America as well. The constitution of USA clearly indicates the
kind of government which the nation is to follow and it can even be said that it lends a great
deal of stability to the democratic system of governance which the nation follows (Campbell
& Goldsworthy, 2017). The democratic system of government is not only one of the largest
ones of the world but at the same time one of the earliest ones of the world (Roberts & Odd,
2013). The founding fathers of the nation had certainly in mind the then popular dictum of
“liberty, equality and fraternity” which was much popularized by the French Revolution of
1789 (Roberts & Odd, 2013). It is a reflection of this particular fact that even in the 21st
century the Constitution as well as the various amendments passed by the government of the
nation are being molded as per these three concepts. Furthermore, another unique feature of
the Constitution of the nation is the “Bill of Rights” which the founding fathers of the
Constitution introduced with the objective to provide the people of the nation with the kind of
opportunities that were likely to help them to lead their lives to the its full potential (Rabkin,
2018). The Constitution of the nation as well as the “Bill of Rights” which forms an integral
part of the Constitution of the nation hold significance even in the present times. This essay
will argue the fact that the American Constitution and the “Bill of Rights” hold significance
even in the present times.
The American Constitution was designed by the founding fathers of the nation
keeping in view the various precepts of the concept of democracy (Rabkin, 2018). This can
be seen as a reflection of the fact that the American nation was under the yoke of British
colonialism for a very long time and thus the founding fathers of the nation decided to give
the power of the nation to its citizens (Redish, 2017). The American government, thus, is

2USA CONSTITUTION AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
based on the concept of “for the people, by the people and of the people” (Redish, 2017). The
most important aspect of this particular type of government is the fact that the people of the
nation get to choose their representatives who governs the nation on their behalf (Reynolds,
2009). It is significant to note that although the American Constitution has undergone several
amendments since its introduction yet the Constitution of the nation has managed to retain
this basic essence. All these factors have contributed in a significant manner to make the
American Constitution one of the torch bearers of the democratic system of governance.
The American Constitution, although, one of the oldest as well as stable ones of the
world has received a considerable amount of criticism from various cauldrons (Campbell &
Goldsworthy, 2017). For example, Charles Beard in his famous work “An Economic
Interpretation of the Constitution” has argued that the American Constitution was designed
with the objective to protect as well as safeguard the interests of the rich people of the nation
(Howard, 1995). He furthermore, argued that the rich people formed only a small portion of
the nation and the founding fathers of the nation by focusing only on safeguarding the
interests of the rich people of the nation deprived the other people of the nation of their most
basic rights (Howard, 1995). In addition to this, Robert E. Brown in his critically acclaimed
work “Charles Beard and the Constitution” argues the fact that the major focus of the
founding fathers of the nation was on safeguarding the interests of the property owners of the
nation (Howard, 1995). It is interesting to note that at the time when the American
Constitution was drafted a considerable section of the population of the nation were property
owners. Moreover, the author Zinn (1995) propounds that it is true that the major area of
focus of the American Constitution was to safeguard the rights of the rich section of the
population however at the same time it must be noted that the Constitution at the same time
had ample scope for the other people who formed the major part of the nation like the small
as well as the medium sized property holders. Thus, the point made by Brown and also the

3USA CONSTITUTION AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
works of other scholars point to the fact that the American Constitution did not focused on
the interests of a few people of the nation rather it aimed to cater to the needs as well as the
requirements of the majority of the people of the nation.
One of the most important aspects of the American Constitution and the one which
lends a considerable amount of stability to it are the “Bill of Rights” (Campbell &
Goldsworthy, 2017). Briefly, the “Bill of Rights” can be defined as the first ten amendments
which were made to the Constitution of the nation. Many experts are also of the viewpoint
that the “Bill of Rights” intended to provide a clear overview to the people of the nation
about their legal as well as civil rights (Campbell & Goldsworthy, 2017). Effective
knowledge about these rights is essential so that the individuals can not only lead their lives
as per the various precepts of the Constitution but at the same time fully utilize the
opportunities and the benefits provided by the Constitution of the nation (Sheldon, 2018). In
other words, the “Bill of Rights”, provided the window to the people of the United States of
America wherein they could maximize the potentials of the opportunities as well as the
benefits which are being provided to them by the Constitution (Sheldon, 2018). Furthermore,
many experts are of the viewpoint that each of the ten amendments which form an essential
part of the “Bill of Rights” were made taking into effective consideration the needs as well as
the requirements of the people of the nation and was in synchronization with the changing
times (Mikhail, 2015). Therefore, it would be apt to say that the “Bill of Rights” not only
forms an essential part of the American Constitution but at the same time is one of the
primary reasons for the relevancy as well as the significance which the American
Constitution holds even after more than 200 years of its composition.
Experts are of the viewpoint that another significance factor which has contributed
much not only towards the stability of the Constitution but also towards the current relevance
as well as significance which the American Constitution within the framework of the

4USA CONSTITUTION AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
contemporary is the concept of “Due Process” (Schweikart & Allen, 2004). The primary idea
behind the incorporation of this particular concept within the framework of the American
Constitution was to safeguard the interests of the people of the nation and at the same time to
reduce the amount of corruption as well as various kinds of malpractices within the nation
(Schweikart & Allen, 2004). The “Due Process” provided the right to the people of the nation
to protest against the malpractices as well as unlawful activities of the government of the
nation in a constitutional manner (Schweikart & Allen, 2004). Thus, it would be appropriate
to say that this particular construct of the Constitution of the nation has contributed in a
significant manner to reduce the amount of corruption as well as the malpractices of the
government of the nation while safeguarding the interests and the rights of the common
people of the nation.
To conclude, the democratic system of government followed by the nation of the
United States of America was designed with the objective to provide the people of the nation
with the majority of power within the framework of the nation. The American Constitution,
thus, incorporates within itself the various precepts as well as the dictums of democracy.
Furthermore, the American Constitution was designed keeping in view the needs as well as
the requirements of the people of the nation and this is one of the primary reasons why the
Constitution of the nation is not only one of the most stable ones even in the 21st century and
is relevant even in the present times. Furthermore, the “Bill of Rights”, the “Due Process”
and other important constructs of the Constitution of the nation has also contributed in a
significant manner towards the stability as well as the relevance of the American
Constitution. It is significant to note that arguments have been made as regards the fact that
the American Constitution takes into consideration only the interests of the rich people of the
nation as well as the property owners but when a close analysis of the same is undertaken it

5USA CONSTITUTION AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
reveals the fact that the Constitution was designed with the objective to provide maximum
benefit to the maximum number of people.

6USA CONSTITUTION AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
References
Campbell, T. D., & Goldsworthy, J. (2017). Judicial power, democracy and legal positivism.
Routledge.
Howard, Z. (1995). A people’s history of the United States 1492–Present. Harper Perennial
pp. 89, 96-97, and 98-99.
John P. Kaminski, “Constitution”, in Paul S. Boyer (ed.) (2001). The Oxford Companion to
United States History. Oxford University Press, p. 158.
Mikhail, J. (2015). The Constitution and the Philosophy of Language: Entailment,
Implicature, and Implied Powers. Virginia Law Review, 1063-1103.
Rabkin, J. (2018). International Law versus the American Constitution. In The National
Interest on International Law and Order (pp. 16-30). Routledge.
Redish, M. H. (2017). Judicial Independence and the American Constitution: A Democratic
Paradox. Stanford University Press.
Reynolds, D. (2009). America, empire of liberty: A new history of the United States. Basic
Books (AZ). pp. 65-66.
Roberts, J & Odd A. (2013). The History of the World. Oxford University Press, pp. 731-32.
Schweikart, L., & Allen, M. P. (2004). A patriot's history of the United States: From
Columbus's great discovery to the war on terror. Penguin.
Sheldon, C. H. (2018). Essentials of the American constitution. Routledge.

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