8-25-09 U.s. Constitution What Is A Constitution? A Constitution Is

8-25-09 U.S. Constitution What is a constitution? A constitution is a plan that sets forth the structure and powers of government. Constitutions specify the main institutions of government. A constitution also states the powers of each institution and the procedures and that institution must use to make, enforce, and interpret law. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The United States constitution is the oldest written constitution still serving a nation today. All are constitutions written? No, however, nearly all constitutions in the world today are written. There are only three of the world’s major democracies have unwritten constitutions. Britain, Israel, and New Zealand. Why some countries do NOT use a written constitution. Many controversies surround written constitutions, including what the words mean, whether the understanding if the document should evolve or remain unchanged and who should have a final say about what the document means. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Incomplete Guides Constitutions are important but incomplete guides to how a country is actually governed, They are incomplete for two reasons. 1. No written constitution by itself can possible spell out all laws, customs and ideas that grow up around the document itself. (Franklin Roosevelt was elected four times till the use constitution was ratified the 22nd amendment changed that custom and now an individual can only serve two terms.) 2. A constitution does not always reflect the actual practice of government in that country. (The People’s Republic of China has a written constitution filled with statements about basic rights, freedoms, and duties of citizens. Yet, for years the Chinese government has maintained an extensive police force to spy on Chinese citizens and punish those whose ideas are not acceptable to the state.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------U.S. constitution written in 1787, 4 years after America gained independence./Legislative/congress/writes laws/-Executive/led by pres/makes sure laws are carried out/Judicial /-Each state has authority over schools business and religious areas. /Each state has its own constitution. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Preamble We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves, and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------State the meaning of the preamble and five examples.