Lesson 39: What Does Returning to Fundamental Principles Mean?
What are some contemporary issues regarding liberty v order and how should they be managed? (Video)
Influence of classical republicanism and natural rights philosophy on ideas about citizenship; differences between the philosophies regarding the balance of individuals and community; natural rights and negative liberty; classical republicanism and positive liberty; classical republican view of community; natural rights and factions; focus of the Constitution.
Student Questions: Unit 6, Lesson 39, Sections 1-5 (pdf download)
What are some contemporary issues regarding unity vs diversity and how should they be managed? (Video)
Unity versus diversity; community values and principles; challenge of diversity; unity possible under commonly held principles, e.g., freedom of religion.
What are some contemporary issues regarding majority rule and minority rights and how should they be managed? (Video)
Majority rule versus minority rights as a fundamental tension in the United States; majority rule as the foundational principle of legitimacy; need for individual and group protections.
What are some contemporary issues regarding public and private responsibilities and how should they be managed? (Video)
Contemporary issues regarding public and private responsibilities; management of these responsibilities
How does the Constitution provide a peaceful means for managing tensions among fundamental principles? (Video)
Nation of individuals; impact of technology; obligations to community; collective need for civic participation.
