American Politics Today - Essentials (3rd Ed)

IS THE CONSTITUTION A “LIVING” DOCUMENT?| 43

Is the Constitution a “Living” Document?

How has the Constitution remained relevant after more than 200 years? Why

does this framework of government still work? How can the framers’ values still

be meaningful to us? There are several reasons that the Constitution continues to

be a “living” document.

Changing the Constitution

The most obvious way that the Constitution keeps up with the times is by allowing

for changes to its language. The framers broadly supported the idea behind Arti-

cle V, which lays out the formal process for amending the Constitution: the people

must control their own political system, which includes the ability to change it

through a regular, nonviolent process.

PROPOSAL AND RATIFICATION

While there was strong consensus on including in the Constitution a set of provi-

sions for amending it, there was no agreement on how this should be done. The

Virginia Plan envisioned a relatively easy process of changing the Constitution

“whensoever it shall seem necessary” by means of ratifi cation by the people, while

the New Jersey Plan proposed a central role for state governments. Madison sug-

gested the plan that was eventually adopted, which accommodated both those who

wanted a stronger national government and those who favored the states.

FIGURE » 2.2

AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION

Once

All but once

Proposal Ratification Frequency of Use

By at least three-fourths of the

state legislatures

By at least three-fourths of state

conventions called for the purpose

of ratifying the amendment

Congress proposes amendment

by at least a two-thirds vote

Never

Amendment is proposed by anational convention that is Never

called by at least two-thirds

of the state legislatures

By at least three-fourths of the

state legislatures

By at least three-fourths of state

conventions called for the purpose

of ratifying the amendment

EXPLORE HOW THE

MEANING OF THE

CONSTITUTION HAS

EVOLVED