| The American constitution ratified in 1789 in | | | | Another major criticism made to the American |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the most | | | | Constitution is that it places too many restrictions |
| successful constitutions in the world since it has | | | | on the government. Critics point out that |
| remained almost unchanged to this day while at | | | | compared to the constitution of other countries, |
| the same time remaining a major source of | | | | 'technically' much more restrictions are place on |
| authority in the United States . However there | | | | the American government by the constitution |
| has been some serious criticism of it over the | | | | especially with regards to the executive branch. |
| years. This article will outline and address the main | | | | As an example critics point to the fact that the |
| criticisms made to the American constitution by | | | | president needs permission for major decisions |
| its critics [1]. | | | | like declaring war and the signing of major |
| The strongest criticism made to the American | | | | treaties. As pointed our earlier, state rights were |
| Constitution is that it is an undemocratic | | | | a main point of concern at the time and these |
| constitution. Critics point to the fact that the | | | | restrictions were mainly placed by the founding |
| Federalist movement was explicitly | | | | fathers in order to preserve the power and rights |
| anti-democratic at the time of the drafting and | | | | of the states and thus prevent the Federal |
| ratification of the American constitution. The | | | | government by overrunning the power of the |
| Federalists were initially not an official party in the | | | | states. Also looking from another perspective this |
| early days of the republic but later on became | | | | can be seen as an advantage rather than a |
| one of the main two parties in the initial years of | | | | disadvantage in the sense that the president |
| American independence. The Federalists believed | | | | cannot act alone and even though elected he or |
| that absolute democracy leads to the abuse of | | | | she still needs the approval of the people through |
| power and tyranny. Critics argue the constitution | | | | their representative in congress for major |
| places a lot of limits on democracy like the indirect | | | | decisions. |
| election of the president, undemocratic election of | | | | Critics also point to the fact that the constitution |
| senators (later fixed by the 17th amendment) and | | | | does not have clear boundaries between the |
| many checks and balances on the powers of the | | | | power and authority of the main institutions and |
| different branches of government. They point out | | | | also regarding the power of the state and federal |
| that the founding fathers of the constitution | | | | government. They argue that this has led to |
| believed in the principles of a "Republican | | | | many confusions and also confrontation regarding |
| Government" which in reality is a sort of elite | | | | the authority of institutions like the congress and |
| democracy. Although the critics are correct with | | | | the executive branch and also with regards to the |
| regards to the worries of the founding fathers in | | | | power of the states and the federal government. |
| establishing absolute democracy they tend to | | | | Some scholars and analysts however see this as |
| confuse the actual text of the constitution which | | | | a one of the key reasons the constitution has |
| should be the main area of concentration with the | | | | been successful over the years. They believe that |
| interpretations of it in the early days of the | | | | the very survival of the constitution has been due |
| republic. Incorrect interpretations of the | | | | to the substantial room it has left for |
| constitution are a completely separate matter and | | | | interpretation. |
| should be addressed in a different context. The | | | | These scholars believe that being vague on |
| actual text of the constitution places no major | | | | controversial issues was the reason the |
| limit on elections and democracy [2]. | | | | constitution was ratified in the first place at a time |
| The founding fathers like many other scholars in | | | | when difference of opinion was very strong |
| the world at the time believed that giving absolute | | | | among the founding fathers. They point out that |
| democracy to the people will lead into chaos and | | | | the reason a document drafted over two |
| eventually to tyranny. However their concern did | | | | hundred years ago is still in use today is the fact |
| not result in an undemocratic constitution. The | | | | that it has been drafted in a way that can be |
| fact that they placed many checks and balances | | | | interpreted differently based on the time period |
| on different branches of the government, such as | | | | and the circumstances otherwise it would have |
| how the President can veto legislation from | | | | become gradually obsolete. To prevent |
| Congress, does not necessarily mean that it is | | | | misinterpretation and drastic changes in the path |
| undemocratic. In fact, proponents argue that this | | | | of the country the Supreme Court was given the |
| approach is in tune with the real spirit of | | | | exclusive task of interpreting the constitution. |
| democracy in which a portion of the population | | | | In conclusion the US constitution remains one of |
| cannot force its will on the entire population. Also | | | | the most progressive constitutions in the world. |
| with regards to the indirect election of the | | | | At the time of its ratification it was truly |
| President it should be pointed out that at the early | | | | revolutionary in terms of providing equality and |
| days of the republic, States enjoyed a lot of | | | | liberty for all its citizens. Even though there are |
| independence and power. This was natural since | | | | has been some criticism to it in the past century |
| they had just been united and looked with | | | | most scholars agree that the US constitution with |
| suspicion and rivalry at other states. The indirect | | | | all its strengths and weaknesses is one of the |
| election of the president was a way to keep the | | | | most successful constitutions when compared to |
| power in the states and at the same time make | | | | the constitution of other countries. The fact that |
| sure that no single state took control of the | | | | it has remained almost unchanged to when it was |
| country. | | | | ratified bears witness to its success. |