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Instructions POLI 1001 WEEK ONE discussion: Features of the Constitution
Week 1: Discussion
FEATURES OF THE CONSTITUTION
How strong and powerful do you think your government should be? What kinds of problems can occur if government is too weak? What kinds of problems will emerge if government is too strong? These questions were very important to the individuals who founded the United States government. The framers of the U.S. Constitution wanted a government strong enough to defend the country and advance the economy, but not so strong as to destroy the liberty of individuals. For this reason, the Constitution included a number of features designed to limit the abuse of power by government.
In this Discussion, you will identify one way the Constitution tries to protect citizens from the abuse of power by government and why it is still important to have these safeguards today.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
TO PREPARE:
Review the Interactive Units from this week’s Learning Resources.
Review the U. S. Constitution, which can be accessed via a link in this week’s Learning Resources.
Consider historical events that led to the writing of the Constitution.
Why was this document necessary?
Reflect on the basic principles of the Constitution.
What are the principles of the Constitution?
How were the principles of the Constitution relevant to issues in society around the time of its drafting?
How are these principles applied to and seen in current American society?
With these thoughts, in mind, complete the Discussion:
BY DAY 3
Post a 1- to 2-paragraph description of one feature of the Constitution designed to protect individuals from the abuse of power by government and how this feature is still relevant in current American society. Be sure to cite at least one reference from the Learning Resources to support your answer.
Be sure to support your ideas by connecting the analysis of the stories to the week’s Learning Resources, or something you have read, heard, seen, or experienced.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.
BY DAY 5
Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:
Ask a probing question.
Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
Offer and support an opinion.
Validate an idea with your own experience.
Make a suggestion.
Expand on your colleague’s posting.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of your colleagues’ comments.
Step-By-Step Guide POLI 1001 WEEK ONE discussion: Features of the Constitution
Introduction To POLI 1001 Week One Discussion
Owlisdom, Discussion One POLI-1001 Week One Discussion: Features Of The Constitution is focused on exploring the balance of power within the U.S. government as established by the Constitution. You will analyze one constitutional feature that protects individuals from government abuse of power, discuss its modern relevance, and engage with peers‘ perspectives through thoughtful responses. This How-To Guide is crucial for understanding the intricate balance the framers of the Constitution sought to achieve and its ongoing significance in American society.
Description of one feature of the Constitution designed to protect individuals from the abuse of power by the government.
Identifying a Constitutional Feature
To begin with the POLI-1001 Week One Discussion: Features Of The Constitution, we will identify a Constitutional Feature of the US.
- Select a Feature: Choose a specific feature of the Constitution that limits government power, such as the separation of powers, checks and balances, the Bill of Rights, or judicial review.
- Describe the Feature: Provide a detailed description of how this feature works to protect citizens from government abuse. Use clear and concise language to explain its mechanisms and purposes.
Example
One fundamental feature of the U.S. Constitution designed to protect individuals from government abuse of power is the system of checks and balances. This mechanism ensures that the powers of government are divided among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has specific powers and responsibilities, and crucially, the ability to check the powers of the other branches. This system was established to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful and maintain a balance protecting individual liberties.
How is this feature still relevant in current American society?
Analyzing its Relevance Today
Next, in POLI-1001 Week One Discussion: Features Of The Constitution we will analyze the relevance of the selected feature in today’s US society.
- Current Relevance: Discuss how the chosen feature remains relevant in modern American society. Please provide examples of recent events or legal cases that illustrate its importance.
- Connect to Present Issues: Relate the feature to current political or social issues, demonstrating its ongoing role in protecting individual liberties.
Example
The relevance of checks and balances in contemporary American society cannot be overstated. Recent events underscore its importance. For instance, during the impeachment trials of recent presidents, the legislative branch exercised its power to check the executive branch, demonstrating the ongoing application of this principle. Additionally, the judicial branch frequently rules on the constitutionality of executive actions and legislative statutes, exemplifying the dynamic nature of checks and balances in maintaining the rule of law.
A specific example illustrating the importance of checks and balances today is the Supreme Court’s role in adjudicating disputes over executive orders. In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, asserting that the administration had not followed proper procedures. This decision highlights the judiciary’s critical role in checking executive actions that may overstep legal boundaries and protecting individuals from potential governmental overreach.
The principle of checks and balances is rooted in the framers’ intention to create a government that is powerful enough to function effectively but not so powerful as to threaten individual freedoms. The ongoing application of this system illustrates its enduring significance in safeguarding democratic principles and ensuring that power remains appropriately distributed among the branches of government.
Peer Responses
According to POLI 1001 Week One Discussion instructions, we are supposed to write at least one peer response. I have addressed the given instructions in one response. Following these instructions, you can write your peer responses to the Week One Discussion without a hassle.
Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:
- Ask a probing question.
- Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
- Offer and support an opinion.
- Validate an idea with your own experience.
- Make a suggestion.
- Expand on your colleague’s posting.
- Contribute New Ideas: Share your thoughts and insights based on your understanding of the topic. Offer unique viewpoints or additional information that can enhance the discussion.
- Present Your View: Clearly state your opinion on the topic discussed. Support your opinion with logical reasoning and evidence, respecting differing viewpoints.
- Relate to Personal Experience: Share relevant personal experiences that support or relate to your peers’ points. This adds a practical dimension to the theoretical discussion.
- Provide Constructive Feedback: Offer suggestions for improvement or additional areas for exploration. Be constructive and supportive in your feedback.
- Build on Ideas: Expand on the ideas presented by your peers. Introduce new angles, provide further evidence, or connect different concepts to deepen the discussion.
Response 01
Hey Ben, great post! You effectively highlighted the importance of checks and balances in preventing governmental overreach. Your use of recent examples, such as the Supreme Court’s ruling on DACA, illustrates the system’s ongoing relevance. Overall, excellent work in connecting historical principles to modern issues.
Response 02
Responding to peers is vital to the POLI 1001 Week One Discussion posts. We need to provide at least two peer responses. I have provided one example post. You can write your peer responses keeping the above points in mind.
Closing
The POLI-1001 Week One Discussion: Features Of The Constitution is an opportunity to delve into the fundamental principles of the American government and understand how constitutional safeguards protect against the abuse of power. By identifying and analyzing a key constitutional feature, discussing its modern relevance, and engaging in thoughtful peer interactions, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring importance of these protections. The critical takeaway is recognizing the Constitution’s role in balancing power and safeguarding individual liberties, a topic as crucial today as it was at the nation’s founding. The next module of POLI-1001 revolves around Civil Rights.
