Description

Read chs$.15,16($skim$),17-19$ of the textbook.

Be prepared to discuss the following questions in class:

Chap. $15,$ "A Federal Republic"

In what guise has the Federalist$/$Anti$-$Federalist debate reverberated in the centuries since its origin? Where have we seen contention over the role of the federal government as opposed to the role of the state governments?

Chap. $17,$ "A Secular Republic"

Is a secular republic hostile to religion? Why or why not?

What are the possible advantages and disadvantages of secularism$?$

Chap. $19,$ "How Democratic is the Constitution?"

What was "conservative" about the Constitution?

Who wrote it and what were they interested in$?$ What did they fear?

How did their interests and fears shape the Constitution?

What was insightful and what was myopic in their vision?