1. American Political Ideas… Influencing other nations
LESSON 36

2. LESSON OBJECTIVES
When you are finished with this lesson you should be able to:
Identify which aspects of the American constitutional system have been influential elsewhere.
Explain why some countries and international organizations have chosen to modify the American system or other types of democratic systems.
Summarize how the Bill or Rights has influenced other countries and adopted bills of rights, as well as differences.
Evaluate take and defend positions on why some aspects of the American systems have been effective in the US have not been used in other countries.

3. America’s influence beyond our borders….
Constitutional principles
Popular sovereignty
Limited government
Rule of Law
Other countries drew upon the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
French
Latin America
Poland
Russia
Germany – following WWII – German Constitution had elements of US Consitution.

4. Other nations as they experienced chapters in history used components of the American System.
The US Constitution was the world’s first written frame work for national government.
Many former communist state experimented with their own constitutions.
History

5. Elements of Influence
US Constitution set a standard of a written framework for government.
Also set a standard for how countries would convene to write a constitution and ratification with the people.
France and Netherlands reject proposed Constitution, which leads to the debate of how much of the country’s population must approve the document.
Presidential Government – separation of the executive branch from the legislative branch. They also have checks and balances.
Federalism – a central government and regional governments
Essentially two sets of government, local and national– dispersing power
Limits governmental power
Judicial Power and human rights
Bill of Rights – human rights
Enforcement mechanism – judicial review—the ability to void laws which are unconstitutional.

6. Guarantees of rights differ from the Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights guarantees individual, economic and political rights.
Other bills of rights guarantee certain rights
Health care
Equal pay
Fair and just working conditions

7. Universal Declaration of Human Rights v. Bill of Rights
FDR asked Congress to adopt a second bill of rights.
After his death Elenore Roosevelt used his proposal to help craft the UDHR
1948 US use one of 48 nations to agree to the 30 articles
Elements of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and the Bill of Rights are evident in the UDHR
Offers specifics where the BOR is more general
Offers aspirational goals: To a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of families and individuals including food, clothing, housing, medical care and necessary social services.
To rest and leisure, including reasonable work hours and periodic paid holidays
1976 UN sponsored Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
Carter signed both on behalf of US
1992 US ratified most of the CCPR, but said people do not have the right to sue in US Courts. Did not ratify CESCR
US and other countries have restricted trade with counties that violate human rights.