Constitution: Revolutionary or Counterrevolutionary - Research Paper Example

Nevertheless, the American Constitution, if judged in in its historical context, made a bold and unprecedented experiment for other nations to follow, making it revolutionary in many ways. To appreciate the revolutionary nature of the constitution, it ought to be understood in the context of its time in history and in comparison to the previous instruments and tradition. Prior to passing of the constitution, the government was often tamping on individual citizens’ rights with minim accountability to the citizens.

The independence constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence cogently recognize the value of “we the people”, transferring the power to the people. In this way, the constitution offered unparalleled powers to the governed, as opposed to the governed; a rather radical view for the time. It should pointed out that prior to drafting and passing of the constitution, there existed the Continental Congress, which, unfortunately had very little power, even the very political and facilitative powers that it dearly needed.

For instance, the congress, among other federal organs, often had to look up to the stated for provision of these amenities. Before a consensus would be reached so that the Constitution would be made, the states forming the United States were loosely held by Articles of Confederation. However, the Articles granted to much powers to the state at the expense of the nation, to the extent that national government was more of being in an equal ( or perhaps at lower level) compared to the states.

Under the Article of Confederation, the Congress enjoyed no power to levy taxes. This was remedied by Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution, which provided this duty to the Congress. Secondly, the article gave the State powers to restrict interstate commerce, without necessarily consulting