History of the US Constitution: Difference between revisions
From WikiDemocracy
Jump to navigationJump to search
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 77: | Line 77: | ||
[https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/supremecourt/democracy/history.html by Jeffrey Rosen THIRTEEN PBS] | [https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/supremecourt/democracy/history.html by Jeffrey Rosen THIRTEEN PBS] | ||
The Supreme Court plays a crucial but paradoxical role in American democracy. Many Americans think of it as the head of the least democratic branch of the federal government, designed by the framers of the U.S. Constitution to protect vulnerable minorities against the tyranny of the majority. From the decisions protecting the free speech of accused Communists in the Cold War era to the recent decisions protecting the rights of suspected terrorists after 9/11, the Court, at its best, has often appeared to defend fundamental principles of freedom and equality in the face of popular opposition. Nearly all of the most controversial issues in American politics -- from school prayer and gay rights to affirmative action and abortion -- end up before the Court, and justices are appointed for life precisely so they can consider these issues in constitutional rather than political terms. | The Supreme Court plays a crucial but paradoxical role in American democracy. Many Americans think of it as the head of the least democratic branch of the federal government, designed by the framers of the U.S. Constitution to protect vulnerable minorities against the tyranny of the majority. From the decisions protecting the free speech of accused Communists in the Cold War era to the recent decisions protecting the rights of suspected terrorists after 9/11, the Court, at its best, has often appeared to defend fundamental principles of freedom and equality in the face of popular opposition. Nearly all of the most controversial issues in American politics -- from school prayer and gay rights to affirmative action and abortion -- end up before the Court, and justices are appointed for life precisely so they can consider these issues in constitutional rather than political terms. | ||
=====Teaching the American Revolution===== | |||
[https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/teaching-the-american-revolution/ by ZINN EDUCATION PROJECT 15/11/25] | |||
On Constitution Day, the U.S. Department of Education launched the America 250 Civics Coalition as part of this administration’s plans to celebrate “a new era of American greatness.” The coalition of 40 organizations includes the Heritage Foundation, Hillsdale College, Moms for Liberty, PragerU, and Turning Point USA. (Read background on this coalition in Authors Against Book Bans.) | |||
