Episode XXII - A Constitutional Republic is Born *Transcript*

Thank you for tuning in to The Republic Podcast, I am your host, Victor Antonio.

On this week’s episode we will discuss the United States. I for one am excited to speak in depth about the United States. Whether or not you may believe this country has eroded voter rights, been the pinnacle of exploitation among the disenfranchised or any other label you wish to deem the United States, there is no argument to be made that the society in which the many numerous founding fathers established after much debate sparked the most free and prosperous society in Human history. Not to worry we will discuss many prosperous societies if not the most prosperous (in their time) societies throughout history as well as speaking in depth about the most notables and obscure characters in the inception of this country. Among those we wish to document and establish biographical episodes for the viewers are Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, James Madison and much more. Without further or do let us begin.

Categorized as a Democracy by many, not just in terms of individuals but also news media and likewise the intelligentsia. The United States is known more formally as a constitutional republic. You may ask, what does it mean to be a Constitutional Republic? In most societies or other forms of Polity it can be said that the supreme powers of a certain society are held in different and many forms. For example, one may say that within X society all the powers of governing are established within a particular or several branches of government and held by incumbents whose posts occupy said branch. Whether that be an Executive in the form of a President, or Head of State. A Parliament in the form of a senate, house or representatives, or any other branch that may be equality attributable. Within these branches members hold the Hegemony or power beset by the people to govern in many forms for the benefit of the state. A Constitutional Republic however holds the same principles in a sense that members of the cabinet, branch of government and so forth withhold SPECIFIC powers under law. The most important distinction however is that within a Constitutional Republic the supreme law of the land IS the Constitution. Moreover, branches of government are confined to the specific powers given to them by the constitution. This is the United States. It is noteworthy to say that many countries have explicit laws in place to control the extent to which certain branches of government may operate, however the United States is the only among said Republics to establish its constitution as the “Supreme Law of the Land ''. This, at the time it was being conceptualized, was an anomaly among many nations. Dating back to 1776 at the time the newly established states within what is now known as the United States decided to form its union, it was uncommon for any society both present at the time and historically, to provide complete agency to its constitution. You must remember, during this time the vast empire of Great Britain was still a Monarchy, as so was France (although it wasn’t too long before they traded a monarchy with an emperor), the Ottoman Empire and its Sultan Abdul Hamid I, the Spanish with King Charles III of Spain, The Safavid Dynasty of the Middle East of what is now known as the regions of Iran, Armenia, Georgia and many more not to mention the tribes of the Aborigine peoples of modern day Australia, the small tribes of what is now known as central south America and many other societies as well. None of which established legitimacy to what Aristotle coined the “Rule of Law”. We again, see many societies in which its constitution shifts from one form to another. I myself know this from personal experience. The Dominican Republic (my country of origin) has been guilty of changing one constitution for another, for another, for another and so on.

Why is the “Rule of Law” so important? Important as this question may be, I shall go into further detail in episodes to come.

The main question we must focus on is why did the founders of the United States see the “Rule of Law” as THE fundamental attribute a new Republic must have? I mean, it wouldn’t align in particular with the modern view of the world. The world we live in today, seems consistent (to a certain extent) in holding as an evidently truth that the world we live is governed primarily and most importantly by the few in power. The society we live in is unfair, rooted in racism, an unfair meritocracy, disenfranchisement of the powerless defined as those who lack resources. Why then, would the founders of this country not proclaim this an Aristocracy? Why divide the powers of Polity within Three distinct separate branches? Why not proclaim themselves (as the Persian did around 300 B.C.) as satraps meaning full governors of their respective states? Self Interest plays a huge role as to why the founders divided the powers of government the way they did. I will go into great detail in episodes to come by diving in further to the Convention of 1787 that gave The United States its constitution and the men responsible for it in a later episode. This convention was first established as an occasion to gather all the members to revise the Articles of Confederation, however some men such as James Madison and Alexander Hamilton had other plans.

I would like to end on this note. Please stay tuned for more episodes of The Republic, please feel free to share this podcast with any whom you think may enjoy it. Likewise, make sure to follow me on social media as I will be posting for more content. You may also feel free to provide a one time donation towards this podcast. This will certainly help us grow and reach new audiences. Once again, my name is Victor Antonio, and this has been The Republic.