CYBERLAND UNIVERSITY OF NORTH AMERICA
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr.,
University President & Professor of Political Science
POLITICAL SCIENCE 201H
THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT:
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS IN THE U.S.A.
PART FOUR
THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM: ENGLISH ORIGINS
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
A major source of the political ideas that influenced the American Founders and shaped their decisions and actions at the Federal
Constitutional Convention of 1787 was English/British institutions and practices of constitutional, representative government, as
they had evolved over many centuries and as they were perceived by Americans of the late 1700s. Constitutional government, the
rule of law, civil liberties, popular representation in a powerful and independent legislature, no taxation without representation,
legislative bicameralism, a unitary executive, a chief executive with potent but not absolute power, judicial review, and checks and
balances were all ideas and concepts derived ultimately from English political experience. These ideas and concepts, major
components of late eighteenth century American political culture, were brought to the Federal Constitutional Convention by the
Framers and incorporated into the United States Constitution.
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THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM:
COLONIAL & AMERICAN ORIGINS