The Constitution as designed by the American founders embodies their ideals of a true republican government. Yet the founders also incorporated some aspects of classical liberalism into its structure, ensuring that republicanism and classical liberalism would continue to struggle against each other to define the practices and ideas of the American political system for the next two hundred and more years. While republicanism requires civic responsibility and public participation by the people, liberalism stresses individuality and personal choice above all else that allows the people to determine for themselves whether or not they want to participate. Over time, the political system has drifted more to the liberal side, emphasizing individualism over community and voting instead of more intensive political involvement. This drift has shifted American consciousness so much that few American citizens truly know the character of republicanism or that the nation is still a republic rather than a democracy. Yet republicanism remains the guiding philosophy of the Constitution and the political system, with institution after institution using republican practices to achieve their goals and fulfill their responsibilities. Accordingly please answer the following question: What political philosophy should dominate American politics today – republicanism or classical liberalism? Why?
The Constitution as designed by the American founders embodies their ideals of a true republican government. Yet the founders also incorporated some aspects of classical liberalism into its structure, ensuring that republicanism and classical liberalism would continue to struggle against each other to define the practices and ideas of the American political system for the next two hundred and more years. While republicanism requires civic responsibility and public participation by the people, liberalism stresses individuality and personal choice above all else that allows the people to determine for themselves whether or not they want to participate. Over time, the political system has drifted more to the liberal side, emphasizing individualism over community and voting instead of more intensive political involvement. This drift has shifted American consciousness so much that few American citizens truly know the character of republicanism or that the nation is still a republic rather than a democracy. Yet republicanism remains the guiding philosophy of the Constitution and the political system, with institution after institution using republican practices to achieve their goals and fulfill their responsibilities. Accordingly please answer the following question: What political philosophy should dominate American politics today – republicanism or classical liberalism? Why?
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