Western Political Thought Dr. John Paul Tabakian

Political Science 5 Fall 2012 – Power Point #3

COURSE LECTURE: WEEK #3

Today’s Lecture Covers The Following: • Declaration Of Independence • Articles of Confederation • Northwest Ordinance • Constitution As An Elitist Document • Bill Of Rights • Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” • Thomas Paine’s “American Crisis” • Discussion Topics For Major-Final Paper

CLASSICAL POLITICAL THOUGHT

Aristotle states that inherent within man’s natural state of being, there exist different roles that are designated according to the need of any community. Special virtues are rewarded to those who accept their roles without question, beginning with those terms identified by Aristotle in the household, where the roles of husbands, wives, children and slaves are defined. Roles are assigned, for no man is able to exercise the same talents while producing exact levels of quality in their finished work (Politics, Book 1, Chapter 4, 1253b1). As the polis consists of citizens with enough leisure time to participate in government functions, it is the citizenry that determines those roles to be filled. Government itself has no emotions, or soul. Rather, it is the political activism of a few elites according to Aristotle that makes all government decisions.

MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT

Classical liberalism refers to the beginning in terms of a historical rendition of the periods capable of being identified in which man existed. John Locke is recognized as being one of the first to anticipate the rise of liberal thought in his time. American political thought has been heavily influenced by Lockean principle. Simply put, liberalism derived comes from the straightforward ideology of capitalism, as one cannot have one without the other. Locke justifies capitalism by utilizing liberalism to criticize inequality, shaping everything around the premises of liberty and equality, thus coming to the conclusion that society cannot have one without the other.

ORGANIC ROOTS OF THE UNITED STATES (1)

In their quest for designing a viable representative government, the founding fathers dedicated themselves to careful study of the political philosophy of Europeans. Focusing primarily on British political thinkers from the 16th and 17th century, the founding fathers focused primarily on the natural rights of man, which in turn varied according to the individual philosopher studied. Over the course of their study, the founding fathers openly discussed their opinions with one another so as to properly bring forth differing views in order to prudently construct a government that would protect individual liberty, as well as determine what was required of government to protect civil liberties.

ORGANIC ROOTS OF THE UNITED STATES (2)

The theory of singular government deeply influenced founding fathers Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and even later political leaders like Abraham Lincoln, to present leaders of today. John Locke’s articulation of human nature, in turn relating the law of nature, which is reason, emphasized that a state of inconvenience results in a state of war (Second Treatise, Locke). The most acceptable alternative to a state of nature is a civil society or government, as long as the established authority protects equality. As the fundamental desire of mankind is life itself, government’s foremost priority is to protect property. Alexander Hamilton further propounded this position in that government is indeed a reflection on human nature (Federalist Paper #51).

STABILIZATION

Sudden instability is the greatest threat to humanity for it threatens to cause irreparable harm to the individual. One may never consider harming another person in a state of nature. Elimination of one’s sustenance throws the individual into a state of war, because their survival is now threatened. Nation-states consist of multiple spheres of interest in turn consisting of individual units consisting of people. As survival is the primary goal of man, so it is the ultimate pursuit of nation-states. The primary concern is that of stability. This philosophy has prevented a major war from taking place over the last sixty years. Instability is the primary cause of all conflict both within and between nation-states.

INSTABILITY – A NIGHTMARE SCENARIO

Sudden instability results in the potential destruction of a relationship. Everyone has experienced the negative effects of instability. Relationships between loved ones is just one of many examples. One major cause of rampant instability is the breakdown of communication between spheres. This is a video documentary titled “First Strike”. It presents a nightmare scenario resulting from souring relations between the United States and the Soviet Union.

INSTABILITY – DEATH OF A PRESIDENT

President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated in Texas on November 22, 1963. The President’s body was brought to Love Field and placed on Air Force One. This video is of Lyndon Johnson addressing the nation from the airport.

IRONY OF DEMOCRACY: CHAPTER 4 (A)

ELITES IN AMERICA

Corporate and Economic Power is globalized and free from national government restraints. 1. Financial and industrial elites control America’s economic life. 2. Exporting Corporate elites control America’s trade policy. • WTO and IMF/WB facilitate international trade. • NAFTA and FTA are institutionalizing global trade. • Corporate Elites have earned a reputation for greed.

America’s Elites exercise power in many sectors of society. 1. Elites move from government positions to corporate positions through a

revolving door. 2. An increasing number of women and African Americans are government

elites. 3. Elites are public-regarding and establishment-trained. 4. An increasing number of neoconservatives and neoliberals are in America’s

elite.

GLOBALIZATION (1)

Globalization is a process that seems to create a more unified world united in a single economic system. Globalization continues to be cited as a cause for the withering away of the state. Technology has allowed mankind to realize globalization. Liberalism and its market-based order continue to be the primary motivator for technological innovation that in turn has rendered previous norms obsolete. One can argue that this constant drive may in time render international strife, conflict and other assorted calamities obsolete. Liberals would argue that globalization is a trend toward the transformation of world politics with states no longer remaining sealed units.

GLOBALIZATION (2)

Globalization may be seen as a homogenization process that equalizes prices, products, wages, wealth, rates of interest and profit margins. It is a movement that can spark resistance both within the United States as well as around the world. This can come from religious fundamentalists, labor unions and other types of special interest groups. Globalization has so far only encompassed western countries, Israel and certain Asian countries like Japan, South Korea and China. Most of the world has been left out, including Africa, Latin America, Russia, Middle East and swaths of Asia.

GLOBALIZATION (3)

This political piece explores the effects of globalization. One can argue that globalization has extended people’s buying power. Dollars can be stretched must further thanks to lower labor costs found in distant lands. “Big Box-Mart” argues that cheap goods does present a serious side effect. Does the message relate to your personal belief about our present global economy?

• Government Under The Articles Of Confederation • Established A “Firm League Of Friendship” • Identified Powers Belonging To The National

Government • Reassured Each State Of Its

• Sovereignty • Freedom • Independence

• Repayment Of Loans Made To Congress • Investors Who Backed The American War Effort

Had Difficulty Securing Their Loans • Without The Power To Ta, The Future Of The

American Government Looked Bleak

THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (1)

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (2)

Though the American Revolution was that of ideas, it was a full out war. Victorious, the thirteen colonies established and lived under the Articles of Confederation until the adoption of the Constitution of 1787. Revolutionary itself, the Articles of Confederation provided little assistance for a nation absent of leaders who possessed experience in governing the whole country. The Articles of Confederation linked the thirteen colonies in mainly defensive guarantees. Though a congress with typical authority associated with a central government was established with normal duties including the right to declare war, engage in treaties and coin money, there lacked an executive branch to enforce decisions. Congress was state directed, with each state having a single vote. Nine out of thirteen states had to agree if anything were to be passed.

• Protection Of Bankers And Creditors

• State-Issued Paper Money Permitted Debtors To Pay Off Creditors With Money Worth Less Than They Originally Owned

• Opening Western Land To Speculation

• Need A Strong Central Government

• With Enough Military Power To Oust The British From The Northwest

• To Protect Settlers Against Indian Attacks

• The Protection And Settlement

• Cause Land Values To Increase

• Make Land Speculators Rich

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (3)

NORTHWEST ORDINANCE (1)

•Known formally as “An Ordinance for the Territory of the United States, North-West of the River Ohio” or as the “Freedom Ordinance”.

•Act of the Continental Congress of the United States passed on July 13, 1787 under the Articles of Confederation.

•Northwest Territory was the first organized territory.

•Stretched from the region south of the Great Lakes to north and west of the Ohio River, and east of the Mississippi River.

•United States Congress Congress affirmed the Ordinance on August , 1789 with slight modifications under the Constitution.

•Precedent set by which the United States would expand westward by the admission of new states and not the expansion of existing states.

NORTHWEST ORDINANCE (2)

•It established the precedent by which the United States would expand westward across North America by the admission of new states, rather than by the expansion of existing states.

•Banning slaver in the territory established the Ohio River as the boundary between free and slave territories between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River.

Protection Of Shipping And Manufacturing Strong Navy Important To American Commercial

Interests Tariff Barriers Not Adequate Against Foreign Goods

Ensuring The Return Of Runaway Slaves Protection Of Human “Property” Sought In 1787, Slavery Was Lawful Everywhere Except In

Massachusetts Nation’s Founders Prepared To Protect Slavery Southern Economy Highly Dependent On Slaves

Exercising Powers In World Affairs Confederation Held In Contempt By Britain And

Barbary States Elite Wanted To Assume Role In The International

Community And Exercise Power In World Affairs

ELITE PREFERENCES: INSPIRATION FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION

• An Annapolis Convention

• Report That Outlined Defects In The Articles Of Confederation

• Called Upon States To Send Delegates To New Convention To Suggest Remedies

• George Washington’s Prestige

• 55 Men Chose George Washington In The Summer Of 1787

• Stood At The Apex Of American Elite Structure

FORMATION OF A NATIONAL ELITE

• Founders’ Governing Experience—Wealthy Individuals

• Wealth Assumed A Variety Of Forms: • Land, Ships, Business Inventories, Slaves, • Credit, Bonds, Paper Money

• Founders’ “ Continental” View • Cosmopolitanism Distinguished The Men Of

Philadelphia From The Masses • “Continental” Point Of View For Political,

Economic, & Military Issues • Members Of The Elite Extended Their Loyalties

Beyond Their States

FORMATION OF A NATIONAL ELITE

• Goal Of Government Is To Protect Liberty And Property

• Origin Of Government Is Implied Contract Among People

• Elites Believed In • A Republican Government • Limited Government Could Not Threaten Liberty

Or Property • A Strong National Government Could

• “Establish Justice, • Insure Domestic Tranquility, • Provide For The Common Defense, • Promote The General Welfare, And • Secure The Blessings Of Liberty”

ELITE CONSENSUS IN 1787

• Representation Compromise • Addressed Representation In The National Legislature

• Slavery Compromise –The Three-fifths Compromise • For Tax And Representation Purposes: Slaves Counted

As Three-fifths of A Person • Export Tax Compromise –Between Planters And Merchants

• Articles Exported From Any State Should Not Bear Tax Or Duty

• Imports Could Only Be Taxed By The National Government

• Voter Qualification Compromise • Concerned Qualifications For Voting And Holding Office • Electors In States Should Qualify For Electors Of The

Most Numerous Branch Of The State Legislatures • Women Could Not Participate In Government

AN ELITE IN OPERATION: CONCILIATION AND COMPROMISE

• Elites Benefited More Directly And Immediately Than Did Nonelites

• Levying Taxes • Congress Given Power To Tariff

• Regulating Commerce –The Interstate Commerce Clause & The Provision In Article I, Section 9 • Created Free Trade Area Over The Thirteen

States • The Arrangement Was Beneficial For American

Merchants. • Protecting Money And Property

• Congress Gains Control Over Currency And Credit

THE CONSTITUTION AS ELITIST DOCUMENT

• Creating The Military –Two Purposes • Army and Navy Promote Commercial and

Territorial Ambitions • Protection From Invasion

• Protecting Against Revolution • Protect The Government From Revolution By

Providing Military • Protect Slaveholders From Slave Revolt

• Protecting Slavery • Congress Outlawed The Import Of Slaves After

1808 • Protect Existing Property And Slaves

THE CONSTITUTION AS ELITIST DOCUMENT

• Limiting States In Business Affairs

• Prevents States “Impairing The Obligation Of Contracts”

• Limiting States In Monetary Affairs

• Provided Protection To Elite

• States Could Not

• Coin Money

• Issue Paper Money

• Make Money Other Than Gold Or Silver Coin Legal Tender In Payment Of Debt

THE CONSTITUTION AS ELITIST DOCUMENT

• Structure Reflects Desire To Protect Liberty And Property

• Elite Control Government and Policy Decisions • National Supremacy – Congressional Control Of

Decisions • Republicanism – Representative Government

• Separated Powers In The National Government • Bulwark Against Majoritarianism • Additional Safeguard For Elite Liberty & Property • Divides Responsibilities • Difficult To Hold Government Accountable For

Public Policy

ELITISM AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

• Ratification Rules Designed To Give Clear Advantage To Supporters Of Constitution • Special Ratifying Conventions Called • Extraordinary Ratification Procedure • Minority Of Population Participated In Ratifying The

Constitution • Emergence Of Anti-federalist Opposition

• Feared A Strong Federal Government’s Control • Confidence In Ability To Control State Government

• The Bill Of Rights An An Afterthought • Most Effective Criticism Centered On The Absence

Of Bill Of Rights

RATIFICATION: AN EXERCISE IN ELITE POLITICAL SKILLS

BILL OF RIGHTS (1)

During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments; others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered.

BILL OF RIGHTS (2)

On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States therefore proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. The first two proposed amendments, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative and the compensation of Congressmen, were not ratified. Articles 3 to 12, however, ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.

BILL OF RIGHTS (3)

The Preamble to The Bill of Rights Congress of the United States – Begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine. THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution. RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

BILL OF RIGHTS (4)

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution. The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights."

BILL OF RIGHTS (5)

Amendment I - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II - A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III - No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

BILL OF RIGHTS (6)

Amendment IV - The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

BILL OF RIGHTS (7)

Amendment V - No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

BILL OF RIGHTS (8)

Amendment VI - In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII - In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

BILL OF RIGHTS (9)

Amendment VIII - Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX - The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X - The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

THOMAS PAINE’S “COMMON SENSE” (1)

Arguments against British rule in Common Sense:

•It is ridiculous and against natural law for an island to rule a continent.

•Europe is unlikely to see peace for long and whenever a war breaks out between England and a foreign power, the trade of America would go to ruin due to the economic connection.

•It is no longer a "British nation"; it is composed of influences from all of Europe.

•Even if Britain was originally the "mother country" of America, that makes her current actions all the more horrendous, for no true mother would harm her children so deplorably.

THOMAS PAINE’S “COMMON SENSE” (2)

•Remaining a part of Britain will drag America into unnecessary European wars, and keep it from the international commerce at which America excels. •That government is best that governs least. Society represents all that is good about humanity, government represents all that is bad about it. •The distance between the two nations makes the lag in communication time about a year for something to go round trip. If there was something wrong in the government, it would take a year before the colonies would hear back.

THOMAS PAINE’S “COMMON SENSE” (3)

•The New World was discovered shortly after the Reformation. This was evidence for the Puritans that God wanted to give them America as a safe haven free from the persecution of British rule. •Criticizes the English Constitution, saying that the right for the House of Commons to "check" the king is ridiculous, as the king is given the right to rule by God, therefore, he needs no "checking".

THOMAS PAINE’S “AMERICAN CRISIS” (1)

The first of the pamphlets was released during a time when the Revolution still looked an unsteady prospect at best; the famous opening line is "These are the times that try men's souls." The pamphlet did attempt to bolster morale and resistance among Patriots, as well as shame neutrals and Loyalists toward the cause. "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.“

THOMAS PAINE’S “AMERICAN CRISIS” (2)

Along with the patriotic nature of The American Crisis, it displayed the strong religious beliefs that provided additional rationale for a religiously and socially conservative continent, inciting the laity with suggestions that the British are trying assume powers that only the Christian God should have. Paine sees the British political and military maneuvers in America as "impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God". Paine states that he believes God supports the American cause, "that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by ever decent method which wisdom could invent".

THOMAS PAINE’S “AMERICAN CRISIS” (3)

Paine takes great lengths to state that Americans do not want force, but "a proper application of that force" - implying throughout that an extended war can only lead to defeat unless a stable army was composed not of militia but of trained professionals. But Paine maintains a positive view overall, hoping that this American crisis can be quickly resolved; "For though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the embers can never expire."