The Strengths and Weaknesses of Our Constitutional system Chapter 2 Section 5

How can we explain the remarkable fact that a constitution created more than 200 years ago is still the basis for one of the most successful and stable governments in the world? How can we explain the remarkable fact that a constitution created more than 200 years ago is still the basis for one of the most successful and stable governments in the world? Some of the reasons are as follows: Some of the reasons are as follows:

The Constitution is a brief and flexible set of guidelines, allowing the government to adapt to change. The Constitution is a brief and flexible set of guidelines, allowing the government to adapt to change. Thus, each generation has been able to interpret the Constitution in terms of changing needs and conditions. Thus, each generation has been able to interpret the Constitution in terms of changing needs and conditions.

At the same time, the traditional values and principles of the Constitution are still respected. At the same time, the traditional values and principles of the Constitution are still respected. The Preamble emphasizes that the Constitution is a document of the people, not of the states. The Preamble emphasizes that the Constitution is a document of the people, not of the states.

The principles of separation of powers and checks and balances have helped block the possibility of one of the three branches wielding absolute power. The principles of separation of powers and checks and balances have helped block the possibility of one of the three branches wielding absolute power. The Bill of Rights has served to protect individual liberties. The Bill of Rights has served to protect individual liberties.

Amendments to the Constitution have extended voting rights to all groups in the adult population. Amendments to the Constitution have extended voting rights to all groups in the adult population. Although the original Constitution had many strengths, it has been criticized for its omissions with regard to equality. Although the original Constitution had many strengths, it has been criticized for its omissions with regard to equality. These criticisms include the following: These criticisms include the following:

The Constitution failed to guarantee that women receive equal treatment, including the right to vote. The Constitution failed to guarantee that women receive equal treatment, including the right to vote. Other rights denied to women were the right to hold property in their own name, and the right of women to be legal guardians of their own children. Other rights denied to women were the right to hold property in their own name, and the right of women to be legal guardians of their own children.

Although African Americans had fought in the Revolutionary War, the Constitution failed to abolish slavery. Although African Americans had fought in the Revolutionary War, the Constitution failed to abolish slavery.

The Constitution failed to guarantee the right to vote for all white males many of whom were denied that right by states that maintained property qualifications for voting. The Constitution failed to guarantee the right to vote for all white males many of whom were denied that right by states that maintained property qualifications for voting.