The document discusses several key events and documents in early American political history, including the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Northwest Ordinance, US Constitution, Bill of Rights, and writings by Thomas Paine. It also covers classical political thought by Aristotle and modern political thought centered around John Locke. Finally, it discusses the organic roots of the US government and how founding fathers drew from European political philosophers like Locke regarding natural rights and government.

1. Western Political Thought
John Paul Tabakian, Ed.D.
Political Science 5
Fall 2014 – Power Point #3

2. COURSE LECTURE: WEEK #3
Today’s Lecture Covers The Following:
• Declaration Of Independence
• Articles of Confederation
• Northwest Ordinance
• Constitution As An Elitist Document
• Bill Of Rights
• Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”
• Thomas Paine’s “American Crisis”
• Discussion Topics For Major-Final Paper

3. CLASSICAL POLITICAL THOUGHT
Aristotle states that inherent within man’s natural state of being,
there exist different roles that are designated according to the
need of any community. Special virtues are rewarded to those
who accept their roles without question, beginning with those
terms identified by Aristotle in the household, where the roles of
husbands, wives, children and slaves are defined. Roles are
assigned, for no man is able to exercise the same talents while
producing exact levels of quality in their finished work (Politics,
Book 1, Chapter 4, 1253b1). As the polis consists of citizens
with enough leisure time to participate in government functions,
it is the citizenry that determines those roles to be filled.
Government itself has no emotions, or soul. Rather, it is the
political activism of a few elites according to Aristotle that
makes all government decisions.

4. MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT
Classical liberalism refers to the beginning in terms of a
historical rendition of the periods capable of being identified in
which man existed. John Locke is recognized as being one of
the first to anticipate the rise of liberal thought in his time.
American political thought has been heavily influenced by
Lockean principle. Simply put, liberalism derived comes from
the straightforward ideology of capitalism, as one cannot have
one without the other. Locke justifies capitalism by utilizing
liberalism to criticize inequality, shaping everything around the
premises of liberty and equality, thus coming to the conclusion
that society cannot have one without the other.

5. ORGANIC ROOTS OF THE UNITED STATES (1)
In their quest for designing a viable representative government,
the founding fathers dedicated themselves to careful study of
the political philosophy of Europeans. Focusing primarily on
British political thinkers from the 16th and 17th century, the
founding fathers focused primarily on the natural rights of man,
which in turn varied according to the individual philosopher
studied. Over the course of their study, the founding fathers
openly discussed their opinions with one another so as to
properly bring forth differing views in order to prudently
construct a government that would protect individual liberty, as
well as determine what was required of government to protect
civil liberties.

6. ORGANIC ROOTS OF THE UNITED STATES (2)
The theory of singular government deeply influenced founding
fathers Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton
and even later political leaders like Abraham Lincoln, to present
leaders of today. John Locke’s articulation of human nature, in
turn relating the law of nature, which is reason, emphasized that
a state of inconvenience results in a state of war (Second
Treatise, Locke). The most acceptable alternative to a state of
nature is a civil society or government, as long as the
established authority protects equality. As the fundamental
desire of mankind is life itself, government’s foremost priority is
to protect property. Alexander Hamilton further propounded this
position in that government is indeed a reflection on human
nature (Federalist Paper #51).

7. STABILIZATION
Sudden instability is the greatest threat to humanity for it
threatens to cause irreparable harm to the individual. One may
never consider harming another person in a state of nature.
Elimination of one’s sustenance throws the individual into a state
of war, because their survival is now threatened. Nation-states
consist of multiple spheres of interest in turn consisting of
individual units consisting of people. As survival is the primary
goal of man, so it is the ultimate pursuit of nation-states. The
primary concern is that of stability. This philosophy has prevented
a major war from taking place over the last sixty years. Instability
is the primary cause of all conflict both within and between
nation-states.

8. INSTABILITY – A NIGHTMARE SCENARIO
Sudden instability results in the
potential destruction of a relationship.
Everyone has experienced the
negative effects of instability.
Relationships between loved ones is
just one of many examples. One
major cause of rampant instability is
the breakdown of communication
between spheres. This is a video
documentary titled “First Strike”. It
presents a nightmare scenario
resulting from souring relations
between the United States and the
Soviet Union.

9. INSTABILITY – DEATH OF A PRESIDENT
President John Fitzgerald
Kennedy was assassinated in
Texas on November 22, 1963. The
President’s body was brought to
Love Field and placed on Air
Force One. This video is of
Lyndon Johnson addressing the
nation from the airport.

10. IRONY OF DEMOCRACY: CHAPTER 4 (A)
ELITES IN AMERICA
Corporate and Economic Power is globalized and free from national
government restraints.
1. Financial and industrial elites control America’s economic life.
2. Exporting Corporate elites control America’s trade policy.
• WTO and IMF/WB facilitate international trade.
• NAFTA and FTA are institutionalizing global trade.
• Corporate Elites have earned a reputation for greed.
America’s Elites exercise power in many sectors of society.
1. Elites move from government positions to corporate positions through a
revolving door.
2. An increasing number of women and African Americans are government
elites.
3. Elites are public-regarding and establishment-trained.
4. An increasing number of neoconservatives and neoliberals are in America’s
elite.

11. GLOBALIZATION (1)
Globalization is a process that seems to create a more unified
world united in a single economic system. Globalization continues
to be cited as a cause for the withering away of the state.
Technology has allowed mankind to realize globalization.
Liberalism and its market-based order continue to be the primary
motivator for technological innovation that in turn has rendered
previous norms obsolete. One can argue that this constant drive
may in time render international strife, conflict and other assorted
calamities obsolete. Liberals would argue that globalization is a
trend toward the transformation of world politics with states no
longer remaining sealed units.

12. GLOBALIZATION (2)
Globalization may be seen as a homogenization process that
equalizes prices, products, wages, wealth, rates of interest and
profit margins. It is a movement that can spark resistance both
within the United States as well as around the world. This can
come from religious fundamentalists, labor unions and other types
of special interest groups. Globalization has so far only
encompassed western countries, Israel and certain Asian
countries like Japan, South Korea and China. Most of the world
has been left out, including Africa, Latin America, Russia, Middle
East and swaths of Asia.

13. GLOBALIZATION (3)
This political piece explores the
effects of globalization. One can
argue that globalization has
extended people’s buying power.
Dollars can be stretched must
further thanks to lower labor
costs found in distant lands. “Big
Box-Mart” argues that cheap
goods does present a serious
side effect. Does the message
relate to your personal belief
about our present global
economy?

14. • Government Under The Articles Of Confederation
• Established A “Firm League Of Friendship”
• Identified Powers Belonging To The National
Government
• Reassured Each State Of Its
• Sovereignty
• Freedom
• Independence
• Repayment Of Loans Made To Congress
• Investors Who Backed The American War Effort
Had Difficulty Securing Their Loans
• Without The Power To Ta, The Future Of The
American Government Looked Bleak
THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (1)

15. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (2)
Though the American Revolution was that of ideas, it was a full out
war. Victorious, the thirteen colonies established and lived under the
Articles of Confederation until the adoption of the Constitution of
1787. Revolutionary itself, the Articles of Confederation provided little
assistance for a nation absent of leaders who possessed experience
in governing the whole country. The Articles of Confederation linked
the thirteen colonies in mainly defensive guarantees. Though a
congress with typical authority associated with a central government
was established with normal duties including the right to declare war,
engage in treaties and coin money, there lacked an executive branch
to enforce decisions. Congress was state directed, with each state
having a single vote. Nine out of thirteen states had to agree if
anything were to be passed.

16. • Protection Of Bankers And Creditors
• State-Issued Paper Money Permitted Debtors To Pay
Off Creditors With Money Worth Less Than They
Originally Owned
• Opening Western Land To Speculation
• Need A Strong Central Government
• With Enough Military Power To Oust The British
From The Northwest
• To Protect Settlers Against Indian Attacks
• The Protection And Settlement
• Cause Land Values To Increase
• Make Land Speculators Rich
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (3)

17. NORTHWEST ORDINANCE (1)
•Known formally as “An Ordinance for the Territory of the United
States, North-West of the River Ohio” or as the “Freedom
Ordinance”.
•Act of the Continental Congress of the United States passed on
July 13, 1787 under the Articles of Confederation.
•Northwest Territory was the first organized territory.
•Stretched from the region south of the Great Lakes to north and
west of the Ohio River, and east of the Mississippi River.
•United States Congress Congress affirmed the Ordinance on
August , 1789 with slight modifications under the Constitution.
•Precedent set by which the United States would expand westward
by the admission of new states and not the expansion of existing
states.

18. NORTHWEST ORDINANCE (2)
•It established the precedent by which the United States would
expand westward across North America by the admission of new
states, rather than by the expansion of existing states.
•Banning slaver in the territory established the Ohio River as the
boundary between free and slave territories between the
Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River.

19.  Protection Of Shipping And Manufacturing
 Strong Navy Important To American Commercial
Interests
 Tariff Barriers Not Adequate Against Foreign Goods
 Ensuring The Return Of Runaway Slaves
 Protection Of Human “Property” Sought
 In 1787, Slavery Was Lawful Everywhere Except In
Massachusetts
 Nation’s Founders Prepared To Protect Slavery
 Southern Economy Highly Dependent On Slaves
 Exercising Powers In World Affairs
 Confederation Held In Contempt By Britain And
Barbary States
 Elite Wanted To Assume Role In The International
Community And Exercise Power In World Affairs
ELITE PREFERENCES: INSPIRATION
FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION

20. • An Annapolis Convention
• Report That Outlined Defects In The Articles Of
Confederation
• Called Upon States To Send Delegates To New
Convention To Suggest Remedies
• George Washington’s Prestige
• 55 Men Chose George Washington In The
Summer Of 1787
• Stood At The Apex Of American Elite Structure
FORMATION OF A NATIONAL ELITE

21. • Founders’ Governing Experience—Wealthy
Individuals
• Wealth Assumed A Variety Of Forms:
• Land, Ships, Business Inventories, Slaves,
• Credit, Bonds, Paper Money
• Founders’ “ Continental” View
• Cosmopolitanism Distinguished The Men Of
Philadelphia From The Masses
• “Continental” Point Of View For Political,
Economic, & Military Issues
• Members Of The Elite Extended Their Loyalties
Beyond Their States
FORMATION OF A NATIONAL ELITE

22. • Goal Of Government Is To Protect Liberty And
Property
• Origin Of Government Is Implied Contract Among
People
• Elites Believed In
• A Republican Government
• Limited Government Could Not Threaten Liberty
Or Property
• A Strong National Government Could
• “Establish Justice,
• Insure Domestic Tranquility,
• Provide For The Common Defense,
• Promote The General Welfare, And
• Secure The Blessings Of Liberty”
ELITE CONSENSUS IN 1787

23. • Representation Compromise
• Addressed Representation In The National Legislature
• Slavery Compromise –The Three-fifths Compromise
• For Tax And Representation Purposes: Slaves Counted
As Three-fifths of A Person
• Export Tax Compromise –Between Planters And Merchants
• Articles Exported From Any State Should Not Bear Tax
Or Duty
• Imports Could Only Be Taxed By The National
Government
• Voter Qualification Compromise
• Concerned Qualifications For Voting And Holding Office
• Electors In States Should Qualify For Electors Of The
Most Numerous Branch Of The State Legislatures
• Women Could Not Participate In Government
AN ELITE IN OPERATION:
CONCILIATION AND COMPROMISE

24. • Elites Benefited More Directly And Immediately Than
Did Nonelites
• Levying Taxes
• Congress Given Power To Tariff
• Regulating Commerce –The Interstate Commerce
Clause & The Provision In Article I, Section 9
• Created Free Trade Area Over The Thirteen
States
• The Arrangement Was Beneficial For American
Merchants.
• Protecting Money And Property
• Congress Gains Control Over Currency And
Credit
THE CONSTITUTION AS ELITIST DOCUMENT

25. • Creating The Military –Two Purposes
• Army and Navy Promote Commercial and
Territorial Ambitions
• Protection From Invasion
• Protecting Against Revolution
• Protect The Government From Revolution By
Providing Military
• Protect Slaveholders From Slave Revolt
• Protecting Slavery
• Congress Outlawed The Import Of Slaves After
1808
• Protect Existing Property And Slaves
THE CONSTITUTION AS ELITIST DOCUMENT

26. • Limiting States In Business Affairs
• Prevents States “Impairing The Obligation Of
Contracts”
• Limiting States In Monetary Affairs
• Provided Protection To Elite
• States Could Not
• Coin Money
• Issue Paper Money
• Make Money Other Than Gold Or Silver Coin
Legal Tender In Payment Of Debt
THE CONSTITUTION AS ELITIST DOCUMENT

27. • Structure Reflects Desire To Protect Liberty And
Property
• Elite Control Government and Policy Decisions
• National Supremacy – Congressional Control Of
Decisions
• Republicanism – Representative Government
• Separated Powers In The National Government
• Bulwark Against Majoritarianism
• Additional Safeguard For Elite Liberty & Property
• Divides Responsibilities
• Difficult To Hold Government Accountable For
Public Policy
ELITISM AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

28. • Ratification Rules Designed To Give Clear Advantage
To Supporters Of Constitution
• Special Ratifying Conventions Called
• Extraordinary Ratification Procedure
• Minority Of Population Participated In Ratifying The
Constitution
• Emergence Of Anti-federalist Opposition
• Feared A Strong Federal Government’s Control
• Confidence In Ability To Control State Government
• The Bill Of Rights An An Afterthought
• Most Effective Criticism Centered On The Absence
Of Bill Of Rights
RATIFICATION: AN EXERCISE IN
ELITE POLITICAL SKILLS

29. BILL OF RIGHTS (1)
During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its
opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as
drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central
government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the
British violation of civil rights before and during the
Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell
out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state
conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution
asked for such amendments; others ratified the Constitution
with the understanding that the amendments would be
offered.

30. BILL OF RIGHTS (2)
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United
States therefore proposed to the state legislatures 12
amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most
frequently advanced against it. The first two proposed
amendments, which concerned the number of constituents for
each Representative and the compensation of Congressmen,
were not ratified. Articles 3 to 12, however, ratified by three-
fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10
amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.

31. BILL OF RIGHTS (3)
The Preamble to The Bill of Rights Congress of the United States –
Begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of
March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine. THE
Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their
adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent
misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and
restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of
public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent
ends of its institution. RESOLVED by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress
assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following
Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as
amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of
which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures,
to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said
Constitution; viz.

32. BILL OF RIGHTS (4)
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution
of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and
ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to
the fifth Article of the original Constitution. The following text
is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the
Constitution in their original form. These amendments were
ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the
"Bill of Rights."

33. BILL OF RIGHTS (5)
Amendment I - Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or
the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II - A well regulated Militia, being necessary to
the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and
bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III - No Soldier shall, in time of peace be
quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor
in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

34. BILL OF RIGHTS (6)
Amendment IV - The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants
shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or
affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

35. BILL OF RIGHTS (7)
Amendment V - No person shall be held to answer for a
capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment
or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the
land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in
time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject
for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;
nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken
for public use, without just compensation.

36. BILL OF RIGHTS (8)
Amendment VI - In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury
of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been
committed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause
of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against
him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his
favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII - In Suits at common law, where the value in
controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury
shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be
otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than
according to the rules of the common law.

37. BILL OF RIGHTS (9)
Amendment VIII - Excessive bail shall not be required, nor
excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted.
Amendment IX - The enumeration in the Constitution, of
certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people.
Amendment X - The powers not delegated to the United
States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States,
are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

38. THOMAS PAINE’S “COMMON SENSE” (1)
Arguments against British rule in Common Sense:
•It is ridiculous and against natural law for an island to rule a
continent.
•Europe is unlikely to see peace for long and whenever a war
breaks out between England and a foreign power, the trade of
America would go to ruin due to the economic connection.
•It is no longer a "British nation"; it is composed of influences
from all of Europe.
•Even if Britain was originally the "mother country" of America,
that makes her current actions all the more horrendous, for no
true mother would harm her children so deplorably.

39. THOMAS PAINE’S “COMMON SENSE” (2)
•Remaining a part of Britain will drag America into unnecessary
European wars, and keep it from the international commerce at
which America excels.
•That government is best that governs least. Society represents
all that is good about humanity, government represents all that
is bad about it.
•The distance between the two nations makes the lag in
communication time about a year for something to go round
trip. If there was something wrong in the government, it would
take a year before the colonies would hear back.

40. THOMAS PAINE’S “COMMON SENSE” (3)
•The New World was discovered shortly after the Reformation.
This was evidence for the Puritans that God wanted to give
them America as a safe haven free from the persecution of
British rule.
•Criticizes the English Constitution, saying that the right for the
House of Commons to "check" the king is ridiculous, as the
king is given the right to rule by God, therefore, he needs no
"checking".

41. THOMAS PAINE’S “AMERICAN CRISIS” (1)
The first of the pamphlets was released during a time when
the Revolution still looked an unsteady prospect at best; the
famous opening line is "These are the times that try men's
souls." The pamphlet did attempt to bolster morale and
resistance among Patriots, as well as shame neutrals and
Loyalists toward the cause. "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily
conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the
harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.“

42. THOMAS PAINE’S “AMERICAN CRISIS” (2)
Along with the patriotic nature of The American Crisis, it
displayed the strong religious beliefs that provided additional
rationale for a religiously and socially conservative continent,
inciting the laity with suggestions that the British are trying
assume powers that only the Christian God should have.
Paine sees the British political and military maneuvers in
America as "impious; for so unlimited a power can belong
only to God". Paine states that he believes God supports the
American cause, "that God Almighty will not give up a people
to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to
perish, who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to
avoid the calamities of war, by ever decent method which
wisdom could invent".

43. THOMAS PAINE’S “AMERICAN CRISIS” (3)
Paine takes great lengths to state that Americans do not want
force, but "a proper application of that force" - implying
throughout that an extended war can only lead to defeat
unless a stable army was composed not of militia but of
trained professionals. But Paine maintains a positive view
overall, hoping that this American crisis can be quickly
resolved; "For though the flame of liberty may sometimes
cease to shine, the embers can never expire."