In your opinion, does our media today help or hurt our endeavor of self-government? How/why? Does our media provide us information, a platform for discourse and hold government accountable? Does it do something else?

What sort of changes, if any, would you like to see in our media to improve American politics and government? Is there anything that We the People should do concerning our media?

All in all, what role do you see our media playing in American politics and government today? What role should it play?

How has the understanding of the purpose of government changed from the Founding to today?

What implications has this change had for American politics and government?

The foundation of the Constitution is grounded in the purpose of government as expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Key to that purpose of government is a particular conception of ‘rights’. However, the American understanding of ‘rights’ has, to a large degree, transformed over time, and this has had an enormous impact on American politics and government, both in form and in function. Illustrate both how the understanding of the purpose of government has transformed and how American politics and government has changed as a result thereof. Be sure to focus on constitutional principles.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Why is this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence absolutely key to an understanding of American politics and government? What sort of things does it tell us concerning government?

How/why are such things important for our developing understanding of American politics and government?

In what ways can we see the importance of this excerpt in the formulation of the Constitution?

write an essay from the following prompt: How has the understanding of the purpose of government changed from the Founding to today? What implications has this change had for American politics and government?

The foundation of the Constitution is grounded in the purpose of government as expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Key to that purpose of government is a particular conception of ‘rights’. However, the American understanding of ‘rights’ has, to a large degree, transformed over time, and this has had an enormous impact on American politics and government, both in form and in function. Illustrate both how the understanding of the purpose of government has transformed and how American politics and government has changed as a result thereof. Be sure to focus on constitutional principles.

Things to consider incorporating: natural rights v. government-given rights, Bill of Rights v. Second Bill of Rights, limited government v. active and robust government, constitutional republic v. democracy, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, majority/minority, consent of the governed, representation, relationship between citizen and government, relationship between citizens, etc.