The constitution of the United States of America is one of the best in the world and one of the oldest written constitutions. The framers of the constitution laid down structural framework for the functioning of government. The framers however did not describe relationships and power in detail. The framers constructed a new form of government: the federal government. This was a government that was strong enough to maintain law and order but it was not powerful enough to regulate behavior of states. The framers managed to provide judicious balance between freedom and order but virtually paid limited attention to equality. The constitution was later amended to incorporate social inequality.
Freedom, order and equality have different meaning in American politics today. Freedom and equality have positive meanings and politicians have sued it to their advantage, but they mean different things to different people. Freedom is the absence to constrain to behavior and it is synonymous with liberty. Order means preservation of life and protection of property. The government is charged with the duty of maintaining social order. It is the duty of the government to protect an established order by using police power. Equality involves subjecting every individual or citizen to the same rights and providing people with equal opportunities. The framers of the constitution provided for ways that the federal government could maintain law and order while providing a favorable environment for people to exercise their fundamental freedoms.
The main dilemma facing the government today is balancing the old and new objectives of the government. This entails promoting equality and maintaining order. Order and equality are important social values and the government cannot pursue all without sacrificing individual freedom. Freedom and order forms the original dilemma of old government while the clash between equality and freedom forms the dilemma of new government. The constitution has been effective in restoring order and freedom. The framers of the constitution have been unique in striking a balance between freedom, order and equality. The constitution established the relationship between the federal and the state government. The congress was therefore granted the power to makes laws governing both federal and state governments. The constitution assigns each arm and level of government special powers. It distributes power between the state and federal government and assigns unique powers to the legislature, executive and judiciary. This is to prevent the concentration of power in one arm or level and also for accountability purposes.
The genius of the framers of the constitution is reflected in the intricate set of checks and balances that the constitution instills on the system of government. They managed to prevent any one of the three branches of government from acquiring powers and dominating over others. The fundamental, structural and procedural safeguards have maintained and upheld the doctrine of separation of powers. Freedom, order and equality have been maintained through the constitution. There is a political power driving and guiding this balance. The constitution has managed to provide for ways that the citizens can enjoy their freedoms without jeopardizing order and on ways that citizens are guaranteed of equal opportunities in the same political environment. The constitution lays down how the various organs in government interact and provided for decentralization of power that permitted states much freedom in carrying out their affairs (Harris and Tichenor 10).
Work Cited
Harris, Richard A, and Daniel J. Tichenor. A History of the U.s. Political System: Ideas, Interests, and Institutions. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 2010. Print.
