Please
assist with the below response from instructor. Must be 2 paragraph responses in
length with 1 or 2 sources APA format. Make it sound personable with the response. Thank you in advance!
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My
discussion
Hello Class,
The topic I have chosen to write about is
the United States Constitution’s drafting. Based on my research into this topic
and my secondary source, I have concluded that this source is utilizing a
political lens. While a historian may employ a variety of lenses, there are
three primary ones: political, social, or economic. Personally, I believe
Publius and the Art of Persuasion: The Federalist Papers are read rhetorically
through a political lens. The political lens aims to address questions about
the interaction of a government, political movement, legislation, and
individuals. Additionally, it examines the interaction between those in
positions of authority and those who lack authority. The article’s author,
Quentin Taylor, discusses The Federalists’ influence and authority following
the Constitution’s drafting. When the full text is read, it becomes clear that
the author is demonstrating the effect The Federalist had on popular
perceptions of the Constitution and government at the time. Our current
Constitution is our second, which means that for four years following the
conclusion of the Revolutionary War and the ratification of the United States
Constitution, we were governed by The Articles of Confederation! Our founding fathers
crafted the current Constitution during the constitutional convention in
pursuit of a more perfect union.
Following ratification and the
establishment of the new administration established by the Constitution, The
Federalist’s fame gradually increased. This statement exemplifies the political
lens in that politics was heavily utilized to influence public action. When the
work was first publicly displayed in the 1790s, it gained notoriety and
influence. Supreme Court justices cited The Federalist in order to lend weight
and legitimacy to their decisions. What are the reactions and responses of
individuals (and groups of individuals) to these? The question leads me to
believe that this article is in the political spotlight as a result of the
Supreme Court citing it in several decisions. “Unsurprisingly, The
Federalist established itself as a central figure in what has developed into a
well-worn debate over the nature and transformation of early American political
thought” (Taylor, 2002, p. 263). This statement demonstrates a political
perspective, as the author demonstrates how the paper’s theme, The Federalist,
influenced early American politics and governance.
“It must be remembered, however, that
The Federalist was written in response to a specific event by practicing
statesmen in an attempt to persuade their countrymen to take a particular
action” (Taylor, 2002, p. 274). This statement exemplifies the political
lens in that it details how a political document was manipulated in an attempt
to influence public policy. In the seminal case of Madison v. Marbury, Chief
Justice John Marshall invoked reasoning and terminology from Federalist No. 78
to defend the Court’s jurisdiction against rejecting
“unconstitutional” actions by Congress (1803). Thus, the critical
concept of “judicial review” became constitutional dogma, despite the
fact that it was only implicit in the Constitution. Marshall later stated that
“the Federalist’s judgment has always been regarded as of considerable
authority” and that “no homage can be paid to [the articles] that
exceeds their merit.” Perhaps the most politicized use of The Federalist
occurred during impeachment trials, when both complainants and defense used the
pertinent figures extensively. Such allusions were so prevalent during
President Clinton’s impeachment that prominent media outlets ran stories about
The Federalist, while legal experts and political analysts rushed to obtain
copies of the “venerable” document.
Reference
Taylor, Q. P. (2002). Publius and
persuasion: Rhetorical readings of the Federalist Papers. Political Science Reviewer, 31, 236.
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Teacher Response
Fantastic work! Some legal scholars contend that the FP
represent the truest essence of American republican democracy — even in
relation to the constitution and Declaration of Independence. Agree?