The Constitution in American Life: Featuring the Friends of Publius
Four educators connect U.S. history, politics, Supreme Court decisions, political culture, and the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum to the challenges of modern democracy. Listeners gain perspective on how the Constitution continues to shape American life.
The Constitution in American Life: Featuring the Friends of Publius
The Amendment Process
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the amendment process and debate whether the Founders made it too difficult for us to revise the Constitution. This question is from Unit 3, Question 2 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum.
Discussion Question Unit 3 Question 2
How has the Constitution been reinterpreted or amended to go “hand in hand with the progress of the human mind”?
*Looking back on the nation’s 250-year history, has the Constitution’s amendment process described in Article V suffice to allow for the “changes” Jefferson referenced? Explain.
*Should the Constitution be interpreted as “living document” or interpreted based on its original understanding?