Peaceful Political Revolution in America
"The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government."
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, James Wilson, Thomas Paine, and many other American patriots and revolutionaries completely agreed with this simple but compelling statement made by President Washington. Yet today, very few Americans know what the basis of our form of government is, let alone understand what it means.
This Podcast will dive into the most important and most censored story in America. We will uncover the myths behind our constitutional history and reveal some of the startling facts about our founding as a nation. Hang on tight! If you haven't honed up on your American history, if you think you understand our American political system, you may be in for a shock.
Peaceful political revolution is your unique American heritage. It is what makes our democracy so special and what makes your role in American politics so important. Are you ready for a peaceful political revolution? Where does it come from? How does it happen? What can you do to change our political system for the better?
We will address these questions and many more in the upcoming Podcasts, so hang on. If you think our politics are bad and only getting worse, you may find that a peaceful political revolution is the antidote.
Peaceful Political Revolution in America
S1 E14 Making a new American Constitution with George William Van Cleve
Welcome back to the Peaceful Political Revolution in American Podcast.
So, how do Americans "shore up" their institutions of government? How do we strengthen our democracy and protect it from the anti-democratic forces that are currently on the rise? The recent book by George Van Cleve, "Making a New American Constitution" argues that today the 1787 Constitution is protecting America’s increasingly wealthy oligarchy. The eighteenth-century government structure it created no longer serves most non-elite citizens. Instead, it now seriously obstructs political, economic, and social reforms that are badly needed to combat massive American economic and political inequality, the growing impacts of modernization, and to create a just and united society.
As we said in the last episode, we can't even manage to discuss climate change let alone deal with it. The Constitution must be fundamentally reformed if we are to address the very real threats we face as a nation. My guest today has a very rational and well-thought-out proposal for doing just that, and he contends that such constitutional reforms can only be achieved by holding a new constitutional convention. He also explains why common fears about holding a new convention are greatly exaggerated. This book explores in detail the impediments that will need to be overcome by ordinary Americans who want to ordain and establish a third and more democratic Constitution for the United States.
George William Van Cleve is Dean’s Visiting Scholar, Georgetown University Law Center. He was formerly Research Professor in Law and History, Seattle University School of Law. He is the author of numerous law and history journal articles and three books on American law, politics, and history. His most recent book, "Making a New American Constitution", offers an unassailable critique of the current political system in America as well as a comprehensive and practical guide towards replacing it with one designed by living Americans for their society and future. George Van Cleve received his J.D. from Harvard Law School and his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. He is here today to share with us his very pragmatic yet powerful proposal for a new national constitution.
Professor Van Cleve, welcome to the Peaceful Political Revolution in America podcast. It's a great honor to have you on this program.