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=The U.S. Constitution=
=The U.S. Constitution=
 
• Influenced by the things o 1. English law – Magna Carta, John Locke, Glorious Rev (EBoR) o 2. Colonial experienceo 3. Failure of the Articles of Confederation• 6 Themes of the Constitution o 1. People as Sovereign''' '''o 2. Functional Separation of Powers''' '''o 3. Federal structure / Federalism''' '''o 4. Written Constitution''' '''o 5. Protection of individual rights''' '''o 6. Imperfect justice''' '''• 1. People as Sovereign''' '''o Preamble – Establishes sovereignty in people, not the crown or legislature''' '''o Vesting Clause – Provides a set amount of power, given by people, to legislature ➔ limited government''' '''• 2. Functional Separation of Powers''' '''o Article I = Legislative''' '''▪ Powers enumerated in Art I, Sec 8''' '''o Article II = Executive''' '''▪ Article II Vesting Clause''' '''• Puts power in hands of a single person (the president), but limits term''' '''• The absence of the words “herein granted” leads to arguments about the breadth of powers''' '''▪ Three ways of interpreting Article II Vesting Clause''' '''• 1. Executive power is limited to one person, not a branch''' '''• 2. Since there’s no limit of “herein granted,” it provides Executive with powers not explicitly enumerated''' '''• 3. Executive is limited to powers listed in Art II, Sec 2''' '''o Article III = Judicial power''' '''▪ Powers not explicitly articulated''' '''▪ Establishment of multiple levels of courts (Supreme and inferior)''' '''• 3. Federal Structure''' '''o Separation of powers of Legis, Exec, and Judicial btw first 3 Articles''' '''o Infringements/overlap does occur''' '''▪ President can veto Congress''' '''▪ President needs “Advice and Consent” of Legis for treaties (ie confirmation votes)''' '''▪ Judiciary can create common law''' '''▪ Legislature can create law that limits judiciary''' '''▪ Senate can impeach President and remove judges''' '''o Federalism''' '''▪ Article IV enumerate states rights''' '''▪ Fed and State are the two sovereigns of the US (besides the People)''' '''• They check each other''' '''• Benefit of central regulation by Fed, but States are closer to and can protect regional interests''' '''▪ Sometimes Fed/State overlap, but that structure (tension) protects rights''' '''• 4. Written Constitution''' '''o Pros''' '''▪ Protects fundamental rights''' '''▪ Functions as gag rule (some new ideas are automatically off the table)''' '''▪ Framework for intergenerational lawmaking''' '''▪ Guarantees rule of law since it can’t be erased''' '''▪ Common reference point – Everyone can read it and understand''' '''▪ Creates government''' '''▪ Limits and divides power''' '''▪ Aspirational''' '''o Cons''' '''▪ Limited to rights listed''' '''▪ Gag rule can be stifling''' '''▪ Originalist – Static document, rigid''' '''• It is flawed, containing notions and language of a society quite distant from modern day''' '''o Ex: Slavery protected by Art I, Sec 2; Art I, Sec 9; Art IV,Sec 2''' '''▪ Document written by white, slave-owning men''' '''▪ Only Presidents before Lincoln to oppose slavery were John Adam and J Quincy Adams''' '''• Counter argument: You can always amend the Constitution''' '''o Difficult process, but intended to be difficult''' '''▪ Misleading/breed cynicism''' '''▪ Document is imperfect (see point 6) – But its meant to be!''' '''• 5. Protection of Individual Rights''' '''o Contains language, besides the Bill of Rights, which protects individual rights''' '''o See: Art I, Sec 9 (Habeas Corpus), Art IV, Sec 2; Art III, Sec 2''' '''• 6. Source of imperfect justice''' '''''''''''''''
• Influenced by three things:
 
1. English law – Magna Carta, John Locke, Glorious Rev (EBoR)
 
2. Colonial experience
 
3. Failure of the Articles of Confederation
 
6 Themes of the Constitution
 
1. People as Sovereign
 
2. Functional Separation of Powers
 
3. Federal structure / Federalism
 
4. Written Constitution
 
5. Protection of individual rights
 
6. Imperfect justice  
 
• 1. People as Sovereign  
 
o Preamble – Establishes sovereignty in people, not the crown or legislature
 
o Vesting Clause – Provides a set amount of power, given by people, to legislature ➔ limited government  
 
• 2. Functional Separation of Powers o Article I = Legislative  
 
▪ Powers enumerated in Art I, Sec 8 o Article II = Executive  
 
▪ Article II Vesting Clause  
 
• Puts power in hands of a single person (the president), but limits term  
 
• The absence of the words “herein granted” leads to arguments about the breadth of powers  
 
▪ Three ways of interpreting Article II Vesting Clause  
 
• 1. Executive power is limited to one person, not a branch  
 
• 2. Since there’s no limit of “herein granted,” it provides Executive with powers not explicitly enumerated  
 
• 3. Executive is limited to powers listed in Art II, Sec 2  
 
o Article III = Judicial power  
 
▪ Powers not explicitly articulated  
 
▪ Establishment of multiple levels of courts (Supreme and inferior)  
 
 
• 3. Federal Structure o Separation of powers of Legis, Exec, and Judicial btw first 3 Articles o Infringements/overlap does occur  
 
▪ President can veto Congress  
 
▪ President needs “Advice and Consent” of Legis for treaties (ie confirmation votes)  
 
 
▪ Judiciary can create common law  
 
▪ Legislature can create law that limits judiciary  
 
▪ Senate can impeach President and remove judges o Federalism  
 
▪ Article IV enumerate states rights  
 
▪ Fed and State are the two sovereigns of the US (besides the People)  
 
• They check each other  
 
• Benefit of central regulation by Fed, but States are closer to and can protect regional interests  
 
▪ Sometimes Fed/State overlap, but that structure (tension) protects rights  
 
• 4. Written Constitution o Pros  
 
▪ Protects fundamental rights  
 
▪ Functions as gag rule (some new ideas are automatically off the table)  
 
▪ Framework for intergenerational lawmaking  
 
▪ Guarantees rule of law since it can’t be erased  
 
▪ Common reference point – Everyone can read it and understand  
 
▪ Creates government  
 
▪ Limits and divides power  
 
▪ Aspirational o Cons  
 
▪ Limited to rights listed  
 
▪ Gag rule can be stifling  
 
▪ Originalist – Static document, rigid  
 
• It is flawed, containing notions and language of a society quite distant from modern day o Ex: Slavery protected by Art I, Sec 2; Art I, Sec 9; Art IV,  
Sec 2  
 
▪ Document written by white, slave-owning men  
 
▪ Only Presidents before Lincoln to oppose slavery were John Adam and J Quincy Adams  
 
• Counter argument: You can always amend the Constitution o Difficult process, but intended to be difficult  
 
▪ Misleading/breed cynicism  
 
▪ Document is imperfect (see point 6) – But its meant to be!  
 
• 5. Protection of Individual Rights o Contains language, besides the Bill of Rights, which protects individual rights o See: Art I, Sec 9 (Habeas Corpus), Art IV, Sec 2; Art III, Sec 2  
 
• 6. Source of imperfect justice
 
=Magna Carta=
=Magna Carta=
• Date: 1215, only four surviving copies• Why it matters o 1. Written legal document – First major one of its kind o 2. Binds the power of the Sovereigno 3. Protects the rights of individuals (nobles, in this case)• Backgroundo Before King John (John Lackland), the king had to convince barons of his need for funding▪ The “Great Council” of barons would meet and debate whether or not to fund the king’s requesto John, however, led a very costly failed military campaign to reclaim parts of France. Hence why he’s called Lackland.o John pissed off the barons▪ Lost lands in France, initiated French invasion w/o consulting them▪ Taxed barons heavily for it w/o consulting▪ He also banned Catholic services, and he confiscated Catholic Church property and then sold it back to the Church at a profit▪ Invaded Ireland o Barons rebelled, captured London, and forced concessions from King.o MC is basically a contract, where king gives securities in return for baron peaceo Signed at Runnymeade – “regular meeting” + “meadow” o John broke agreement a year lated, then died o A revised version issued n 1225 by grandson Edward I• What it accomplished o 1. Rights of baronso 2. King is not above law – first time binding of Sovereign• Notable provisions:o No cruel/unusual punishment – proportional punishment = 8<sup>th</sup> Amend o Right to trial by peers – No articulation of what this looks like in practice, no particulars mentioned = 6<sup>th</sup> Amend / Art III, Sec 2o Right to due process, no seizure of property = 5<sup>th</sup> Amend o Separation of powers = Clause 24 of MC o Clause 63 binds future monarchs (like Constitution) o Clause 61 gives authority to baron legislative councilo Freedom of English Church (from Catholic) and freedom English Church for its own elections separate from Catholic Church. o Crown authorizes barons to revolt if the Crown does not meet the criteria laid out o Financial securities▪ Inheritance guarantees – Crown won’t confiscate land after death, widows can collect inheritance portion▪ Debt security – Crown won’t seize land or rent (as means of production) to pay off debt if it can otherwise be paid▪ Money owed to Jews (Court) upon death won’t see interest for kids▪ No unreasonable military taxes or obligated troop supply from the Crown▪ Trials and judicial Court summons will happen in local jurisdiction, so don’t need to travel far▪ No unreasonable fines o Limitations on Crown and corruption▪ Barons get a jury of peers▪ Crown can’t arrest people w/o evidence▪ Royal officials must be qualifies (know law and observe it) o Personal security▪ Crown must return hostages▪ Crown must not have foreign mercenaries in England o Common system of weights and measureso Baron jurors should recuse themselves if under similar complaint• '''English Bill of Rights, 1689 '''o Date: 1689o Background: Followed the 1688 Glorious Revolution. Catholic King James II was very politically tolerant and had close ties to France, which made him unpopular in England. After the birth of his son (ensuring a Catholic heir), Parliament overthrew him by inviting his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange to take the throne. They arrived with a Dutch fleet, and James fled to France thereby abdicating. Parliament produced this set of conditions for William and Mary to accept in exchange for the throne.o Notable provisions▪ Grievances against James – including corrupt and unqualified jurors▪ Freedoms won• Suspension or enacting of law requires Parliaments’ consent• Right to petition king, free speech and debates in Parliament• No excessive bail or excessive fines• No cruel and unusual punishment• No standing army during peace time w/o Parl consent• Free elections of Parl• Right of Protestants to bear arms for self defense• Right to habeas corpus – no fine before conviction• Frequent meetings of Parliament secured▪ Succession path of the Protestant Crown laid out to ensure continuity▪ Crown shall not pass to Catholics, and royals can’t marry Catholics• Locke’s Right of Revolution (1689)• Blackstone Commentaries on the Laws of England• The Constitution
• Date: 1215, only four surviving copies• Why it matters o 1. Written legal document – First major one of its kind o 2. Binds the power of the Sovereigno 3. Protects the rights of individuals (nobles, in this case)• Backgroundo Before King John (John Lackland), the king had to convince barons of his need for funding▪ The “Great Council” of barons would meet and debate whether or not to fund the king’s requesto John, however, led a very costly failed military campaign to reclaim parts of France. Hence why he’s called Lackland.o John pissed off the barons▪ Lost lands in France, initiated French invasion w/o consulting them▪ Taxed barons heavily for it w/o consulting▪ He also banned Catholic services, and he confiscated Catholic Church property and then sold it back to the Church at a profit▪ Invaded Ireland o Barons rebelled, captured London, and forced concessions from King.o MC is basically a contract, where king gives securities in return for baron peaceo Signed at Runnymeade – “regular meeting” + “meadow” o John broke agreement a year lated, then died o A revised version issued n 1225 by grandson Edward I• What it accomplished o 1. Rights of baronso 2. King is not above law – first time binding of Sovereign• Notable provisions:o No cruel/unusual punishment – proportional punishment = 8<sup>th</sup> Amend o Right to trial by peers – No articulation of what this looks like in practice, no particulars mentioned = 6<sup>th</sup> Amend / Art III, Sec 2o Right to due process, no seizure of property = 5<sup>th</sup> Amend o Separation of powers = Clause 24 of MC o Clause 63 binds future monarchs (like Constitution) o Clause 61 gives authority to baron legislative councilo Freedom of English Church (from Catholic) and freedom English Church for its own elections separate from Catholic Church. o Crown authorizes barons to revolt if the Crown does not meet the criteria laid out o Financial securities▪ Inheritance guarantees – Crown won’t confiscate land after death, widows can collect inheritance portion▪ Debt security – Crown won’t seize land or rent (as means of production) to pay off debt if it can otherwise be paid▪ Money owed to Jews (Court) upon death won’t see interest for kids▪ No unreasonable military taxes or obligated troop supply from the Crown▪ Trials and judicial Court summons will happen in local jurisdiction, so don’t need to travel far▪ No unreasonable fines o Limitations on Crown and corruption▪ Barons get a jury of peers▪ Crown can’t arrest people w/o evidence▪ Royal officials must be qualifies (know law and observe it) o Personal security▪ Crown must return hostages▪ Crown must not have foreign mercenaries in England o Common system of weights and measureso Baron jurors should recuse themselves if under similar complaint• '''English Bill of Rights, 1689 '''o Date: 1689o Background: Followed the 1688 Glorious Revolution. Catholic King James II was very politically tolerant and had close ties to France, which made him unpopular in England. After the birth of his son (ensuring a Catholic heir), Parliament overthrew him by inviting his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange to take the throne. They arrived with a Dutch fleet, and James fled to France thereby abdicating. Parliament produced this set of conditions for William and Mary to accept in exchange for the throne.o Notable provisions▪ Grievances against James – including corrupt and unqualified jurors▪ Freedoms won• Suspension or enacting of law requires Parliaments’ consent• Right to petition king, free speech and debates in Parliament• No excessive bail or excessive fines• No cruel and unusual punishment• No standing army during peace time w/o Parl consent• Free elections of Parl• Right of Protestants to bear arms for self defense• Right to habeas corpus – no fine before conviction• Frequent meetings of Parliament secured▪ Succession path of the Protestant Crown laid out to ensure continuity▪ Crown shall not pass to Catholics, and royals can’t marry Catholics• Locke’s Right of Revolution (1689)• Blackstone Commentaries on the Laws of England• The Constitution
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