In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss whether the American Revolution was a social revolution, a political revolution, or both.  This question is from Unit 2, Question 1 of the Center for Civic Education’s We The People curriculum.  

Historian Gordon Wood wrote that in “destroying monarchy and establishing republics, they [the Founders] were changing their society as well as their governments.”

* In your opinion, was the American Revolution both a political and a social revolution?  

-What evidence is there that the American Revolution led to lasting changes in social structures, values, or institutions?

-In your view, how have later generations carried forward, or struggled with, the ideal of forming “a more perfect union”? 

In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss James Madison’s proposal for a national veto at the 1787 Constitutional Convention.  This question is from Unit 2, Question 2 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum.  

James Madison proposed that the national legislature have the authority to “veto” all state laws that threatened the national good.  To what extent was this a reasonable idea to place such power in the national legislature?

*In your opinion, has the supremacy clause functioned the way Madison’s national negative might have?  Why or why not?

*To what extent has Congress historically maintained its strength within the separation of powers framework?

In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the principles set forth by the legal and political scholars from We Hold These Truths.