Debating the Constitution, then and now
During the months leading up to the current end-of-campaign-season frenzy, it’s become commonplace for politicians and passionate Americans to invoke the Founding Fathers and the original Constitution. But as recent debates and high profile interviews have demonstrated, a lot of these same people don’t necessarily know the rights and responsibilities that the Constitution secures.
Historian Pauline Maier thinks this is a shame. For the past decade, she’s been researching the history of how the Constitution was framed and ratified. Her research culminated in a book, ?Ratification: The People Debate the Constitution 1787-1788.?
Professor Maier shares some of the highlights from the Constitution’s history, and tells us if she thinks it could ever be ratified today.
At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.
Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!