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Constitution 101
This course consists of 9 lectures by Hillsdale College professors; it is free and may be downloaded or listened to on line. This excellent series tells the amazing story of the history of the United States Constitution. The Constitution established a limited government, but a government with sufficient powers to protect Americans’ God-given rights to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” This course examines the design and purpose of the Constitution, the challenges it faced during the Civil War, how it has been undermined for over a century by progressivism and post-1960s liberalism, and how limited government under the Constitution might be revived. It is Hillsdale's most popular course ever.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 17, 2015
I finally understand what the amazing group of founding fathers intended the purpose of our federal government to be and the 3 major crisis's the constitution has gone through. I understand better what has lead us to the massive bureaucracy we have today. This series is an absolute must for anyone who votes in US elections.
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February 16, 2021Lecture 1, The Theory of the Declaration and the Constitution: This first lecture focuses on the form of government prescribed by the Constitution which in turn is based on the timeless principles of the Declaration of Independence. These two documents work together to establish the formal and final causes of the United States and make possible the freedom that is the birthright of all Americans. This was a highly theoretical lecture, yet fascinating even so. The one thing which jumped out at me was a statement near the end: There are only two ways to govern people: by talking or by force.
Lecture 2, Natural Rights and the American Revolution: In this second lecture the emphasis was on the principle of equality—which means no person may rule over another without his consent. Equality is central to the political theory of the American Founding. Not only did it justify the Revolution, it also led to the creation of a government whose purpose is securing the natural rights of its citizens. This means it is the government’s fundamental responsibility to insure: 1) equal protection and, 2) due process of law. At this time, the federal government was viewed as being responsible for foreign policy and state governments were in charge of domestic policy.
Lecture 3, Majority Tyranny and the Necessity of the Union: The third lecture discusses the weakness of the Articles of Confederation, America’s first attempt at establishing a national union. In these early years, the federal government was nearly powerless against the unchecked legislative majorities in the states which frequently trampled on the natural rights of minorities. The lesson learned was that there can be just as much injustice from unchecked majority rule as from a despotic monarch. It was seen that while consent of the governed was essential, it was not sufficient to protect the natural rights of all. There are three causes of conflict: 1) power struggles; 2) particular circumstances (e.g., border disputes) and private or personal reasons. These experiences led the founders to place additional structure into the Constitution.
Continuing on.......
Lecture 2, Natural Rights and the American Revolution: In this second lecture the emphasis was on the principle of equality—which means no person may rule over another without his consent. Equality is central to the political theory of the American Founding. Not only did it justify the Revolution, it also led to the creation of a government whose purpose is securing the natural rights of its citizens. This means it is the government’s fundamental responsibility to insure: 1) equal protection and, 2) due process of law. At this time, the federal government was viewed as being responsible for foreign policy and state governments were in charge of domestic policy.
Lecture 3, Majority Tyranny and the Necessity of the Union: The third lecture discusses the weakness of the Articles of Confederation, America’s first attempt at establishing a national union. In these early years, the federal government was nearly powerless against the unchecked legislative majorities in the states which frequently trampled on the natural rights of minorities. The lesson learned was that there can be just as much injustice from unchecked majority rule as from a despotic monarch. It was seen that while consent of the governed was essential, it was not sufficient to protect the natural rights of all. There are three causes of conflict: 1) power struggles; 2) particular circumstances (e.g., border disputes) and private or personal reasons. These experiences led the founders to place additional structure into the Constitution.
Continuing on.......
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews