Which Enlightenment idea influenced the Founding Fathers to include the phrase “We The People” in the United States Constitution? pls
The Enlightenment idea that influenced the inclusion of the phrase "We The People" in the United States Constitution is the concept of popular sovereignty. Popular sovereignty is the idea that ultimate political authority rests with the people themselves. It suggests that the power to govern derives from the consent of the governed.
To understand how the Founding Fathers were influenced by this Enlightenment idea, we can begin by exploring the works of Enlightenment thinkers, particularly the social contract theorists like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
John Locke argued that governments are created by a social contract, where individuals willingly give up some of their individual liberties in exchange for protection and the rule of law. According to Locke, it is the people who possess the inherent right to establish and legitimize the government through their consent.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau further expanded on this idea in his book "The Social Contract." He emphasized the idea that legitimate political authority must originate from the free will and consent of the people. In Rousseau's view, the sovereignty lies not within a monarch or aristocracy, but with the whole body of citizens.
The Founding Fathers, influenced by these Enlightenment thinkers, embraced the idea of popular sovereignty and sought to implement it in the founding documents of the United States. They believed that the power of government should derive from the people rather than from a ruler or elite group.
In the drafting of the United States Constitution, the phrase "We The People" was deliberately chosen to reflect this principle. It signifies that the authority of the government stems from the collective will of the people, emphasizing the idea of self-governance.
By including "We The People" in the Constitution's preamble, the Founding Fathers made a strong statement about the source of political power and the importance of citizen participation. It serves as a reminder that the government exists to serve the people, and that the people have the right to shape their government and hold it accountable.
In conclusion, the influence of the Enlightenment idea of popular sovereignty, as expressed by thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, led the Founding Fathers to include the phrase "We The People" in the United States Constitution. This phrase symbolizes the belief that the ultimate authority of government resides with the citizens, and it reflects the concept of self-governance and consent of the governed.