Principles and Compromise: The Spirit and Practice of the U.S. Constitution: The Spirit and Practice of the U.S. Constitution

Author: Wang Xi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Principles and Compromises presents a coherent and substantive narrative of the development and evolution of the U.S. Constitution over nearly four centuries (from the origins of North American colonies in the early 17th century to the late 20th century). Through this broad historical narrative, it explores the origins and changes of important concepts and principles of the U.S. Constitution, analyzes the dynamics, mechanisms, forms, and outcomes of its evolution. The author argues that only after gaining a relatively clear and accurate understanding of the history of the U.S. Constitution can we objectively and insightfully evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately grasp the historical insights it contains (for both Americans and Chinese). The author proposes that the U.S. Constitution is the result of negotiations and compromises among diverse interest groups during the early stages of the nation's founding. The constitution also establishes a political mechanism for interest-group negotiations and compromises. Over the more than two centuries of U.S. history, different interest groups have adapted to changing historical environments, utilizing the constitutional mechanisms derived from the constitution to continuously negotiate and compromise over their respective interests and the definition and positioning of the federal "public" interest. Negotiations and compromises have led to the revision of old constitutional principles and practices, the emergence of new ones, and the constant renewal of the constitution's vitality, demonstrating a form of "supra-stability" and making it a "living constitution."