CONTENT STATEMENT
Constitutional government in the United States has changed over time as a result of amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Supreme Court decisions, legislation, and informal practices.
Content elaboration
The operations of government in the United States take place within a framework provided by the U.S. Constitution. However, the U.S. Constitution has been amended, interpreted, and implemented in a variety of ways.
The processes for formally amending the U.S. Constitution are outlined in the document. Constitutional amendments have added to, modified, replaced and/or voided provisions of the original document and previous amendments.
The U.S. Supreme Court, in deciding cases brought before it, has frequently interpreted provisions of the U.S. Constitution to clarify and extend their meaning. With its power of judicial review, the Supreme Court has also declared actions of the branches and of the states to be unconstitutional. The U.S. Congress, in creating legislation, has provided details which build upon the framework of the Constitution. For example, civil rights acts and voting rights acts have provided specific directions to promote constitutional principles.
Informal practices also have changed how constitutional government has been implemented in the United States. These practices are related to provisions in the Constitution, but venture into areas not specifically addressed in the Constitution. For example, legislative oversight of the executive branch grew in part out of Congress’ need for information to help draft new legislation.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Select an example of how constitutional government in the United States has changed the meaning and application of any one of the basic principles which help define the government of the United States and explain the nature of the change.