This paper surveys key dimensions of the United States Constitution and its evolving role in American governance. It examines the historical and philosophical influences behind the Constitution's founding — including the Articles of Confederation and the American Revolution — before analyzing ongoing tensions between federal and state authority. The paper then traces the growth of presidential power through examples from the Bush and Obama administrations, reviews landmark Supreme Court cases such as McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden and their societal impacts, and concludes with a discussion of African Americans' continuing struggle for full legal equality under the law.
The United States Supreme Court is the backbone of the country, serving as the premise of governance and the supreme law of the land. The U.S. Constitution has established a unique form of government in which governance is by the people and for the people. As a living document, the Constitution changes as the country develops and evolves. However, the development of the nation's foundational law was shaped by several historical and philosophical influences.
One of the primary historical influences upon the American Constitution was the Articles of Confederation, which was adopted by the Continental Congress. These articles influenced the establishment of the Constitution by prompting discussion on the proper scope of governmental power in the aftermath of the Confederation. Specifically, the Articles of Confederation influenced the constitutional section on separation of powers because of debates surrounding governmental authority. Notably, there was no distinct executive branch under the Articles of Confederation (Halvorson, n.d.).
Similarly, the American Revolution influenced the doctrine of separation of powers in the U.S. Constitution. The revolution helped establish an enduring legacy through which the extent of popular rule, the election of politicians, and the resolution of disputes between federal and state governments were determined. The American Revolution thus stands as a significant historical influence upon the Constitution in relation to separation of powers.
While the U.S. Constitution provides guidelines on separation of powers between federal and state governments, the issue of federal power and state rights has continued to be increasingly controversial and divisive. Throughout the nation's history, several issues have emerged that have generated concerns regarding federal power and state rights. For more than two centuries, American politics has revolved around the question of how power should be distributed between federal and state governments.
In recent years, the federal government's powers have come under increased scrutiny as states continue to enact laws on several national issues such as gay marriage, abortion, and gun control. A contemporary example of this debate is evidenced in Idaho's enactment of new laws on both gay marriage and gun control. As gun control continues to attract considerable attention across the nation, Idaho joined other states in enacting laws to prevent any future federal gun measures from being enforced within the state (McDaniel, Korth & Boehm, 2014). The state enacted these laws based on the argument that it has the right to interpret the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
In addition, while gay marriage is legal in all states in America, Idaho retained its constitutional provision defining marriage as a union only between a man and a woman. Even though the Supreme Court eliminated gay marriage bans across the country, Idaho's retention of this definition in its state constitution raises questions about the boundaries of federal power and state rights.
"Bush and Obama expanded presidential authority beyond traditional limits"
"McCulloch and Gibbons cases transformed American constitutional law"
"African Americans continue pursuing full equality under the law"
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