The Framers of the Constitution made each branch of the national government share some of its primary responsibilities and powers with one or more of the other branches. For example, the president and the executive branch have the primary responsibility for carrying out and enforcing laws. Learn more!

Center for Civic Education

The Framers of the Constitution wanted to limit the power of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the national government. So, they made each of them share some of its primary responsibilities and accompanying powers with one or more of the other branches. Listen for more!

Center for Civic Education

The Framers of the Constitution were concerned about two things: First, the emergence of a tyrannical executive in the presidency and second, a tyranny of a majority in Congress. Learn how they design a system of government to address these concerns in this episode!

Center for Civic Education

Which branch of the federal government has the most power? We explore the intentions of the Framers for how powered was to be distributed among the branches in this episode!

Center for Civic Education

Today we begin a special series of podcasts to examine the question of whether power in the federal government is appropriately balanced between Congress and the executive and judicial branches. We will also learn how power has shifted from Congress to the executive and judicial branches of government and consider the implications of this shift.

Center for Civic Education

Many of our choices have social consequences and therefore have a civic dimension when they enhance or subtract from public happiness. Thus the pursuit of happiness must refer both to public and to private happiness.

Center for Civic Education

Every day we make numerous choices in deciding what course of action will add to our well-being and what will make us happy. Making these choices is the pursuit of happiness. Learn more about this important concept in this podcast!

Center for Civic Education

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson announced that every human being has ???certain unalienable rights,??? among which are those to ???life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.????? But what did Jefferson mean by ???the pursuit of happiness????

Center for Civic Education

One key to understanding “inalienable” rights--as distinguished from ordinary, “alienable” rights--is found by turning to one of Thomas Jefferson's rough drafts of the Declaration of Independence. Listen to learn more about the foundations of your rights that cannot be taken away!

Center for Civic Education

The Declaration of Independence states that “all Men are … endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” But what does “unalienable Rights”, or as it was intended “inalienable Rights” mean? Learn more in this episode!

Center for Civic Education