US Constitution makers imagined a constitution that protects the rights of its citizens. Constitutions should protect the rights of citizens but some provisions should also be made to deal with ay untoward situation and in order to maintain law and order in the society. Constitutions of almost every country give some rights to governments in order to deal with unrests that take place in society due to several reasons.
Such powers are known as coercive powers. This paper intends to discuss coercive powers with a special perspective to examine its relevance in United States of America along with discussing several other related aspects of the subject matter.
Shays rebellion took place in 1786-87 in Massachusetts. It was an armed uprising that was named after Daniel shay and was to protest against the policies of government. People mobilized their private army and waged a war. State government was compelled to take severe actions (The Founding and the Constitution ). Serious action was taken and special military force was made to deal with these insurgents. Several people lost their lives and Rebellion was defeated but it caused a nationwide debate.
Voices rose to deal effectively in case of such situations. Even government was forced to take some steps to deal with situations like shay uprising. People from all over opined to make laws to deal with such situation while several others opposed any such move to strike people’s liberty. Politicians were determined to prevent situation like shay uprising. The climate of American politics was very much warm and it was inevitable for politicians to take actions in such situations.
Articles of confederation was much debated and was all prepared to take place in united states of America. Some provision were introduced in this act to deal with situation like shay uprising. Benjamin Franklin advocated for civil disobedience to deal with intolerable acts like armed unrest of any kind. It was agreed that such laws are necessary.
A number of state representatives opposed the need of such law but several stalwart leaders supported the need of this law. George Washington says, “Experience has taught us that men will not adopt, and carry into execution, measures the best calculated for their own good, without the intervention of coercive power” (Webster 18).
The same articles of confederation was converted into US constitution where arrangements were made to deal with such uprisings. US constitution was made after such problems and this fact helped the constitution makers in avoiding such issues. Police were given wide powers to tackle any such uprising. Currently police is bestowed wide powers to deal with any uprising like situation that is armed and intends to disturb the law and order situation of the state.
10th amendment of US constitution suggests that powers that are not within the ambit of federal governments are subject to state governments. State government can take action according to the situation and in order to control any uprising kind situation. Police has been given enough power to deal with any uprising as the same act falls within the ambit of maintaining law and order.
President and congress also have the power to initiate military action if the situation is very dangerous and beyond the control of state machinery. Any armed rebellion would be considered war against the state and can be dealt with force. Dealing with any unrest depends on the gravity of the uprising. State police can deal with the situation if it is confined into a mall area but if any unrest is spread into bigger area, federal agencies may take appropriate actions in order to control and defeat them (Ethicalego Speaks).
Our constitution makers made provisions to deal with any unrest and did not hesitate while making such provisions since the issue is related with peace and law. Any unrest whether it is armed or unarmed may be defeated by the use of force if the government thinks it illegal and against the interest of society. Peaceful protests are allowed in a democratic country and this has been recognized by constitutions of several countries including US constitution but armed unrest is not welcomed in American society.
After having observed the succinct view of the above mentioned subject matter, it can be concluded that coercive power becomes inevitable sometimes to maintain peace in the society as well as in order to deal with law and order situations. Wide regulatory powers are given to states and state police to combat any uprising. Federal agencies also can take actions on the command of US president or congress if the same is required in order to maintain law and order situation in the society.
Works Cited
"Ethicalego Speaks." 10 October 2013. ethicalego. 25 November 2013 <http://ethicalego.com/Relations/blog4.php/2013/10/10/republicans-violate-constitutional-protection-against>.
"The Founding and the Constitution ." 2010. wps.prenhall. 25 November 2013 <http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_berman_democracy_4/7/1857/475454.cw/index.html>.
Webster, Daniel. The Constitution Not a Compact Between Sovereign States: A Speech. USA: Harvard College Library & Google, n.d.
