The Citizenism Project
Journey to Reclaim the Role of the Citizen in the Political Ecosystem
Reimagine the Constitution
At the close of America’s Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was reportedly asked by George Washington’s friend, Mrs. Elizabeth Powell of Philadelphia, “Well, doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Franklin responded, “A republic, madam, if you can keep it.
The Initiative with seek to answer the following questions.
What was the rationale for the constitution?
How to establish a citizen user's manual for the constitution?
What if the 1787 Constitutional Convention took place in the present?
What would the constitution look like?
The Reimagine the Constitution initiative offers insights into the rationale that led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the framing and content of the document. The current implications of the constitution will be explored. It will be structured to allow the presentation of topics to be presented in the time frame that they were discussed in Philadelphia in 1787. We start with a discussion of the principles and history of the period and the motivation of the founders in convening the constitutional convention. It will build on the notes kept by James Madison during the convention.
The ongoing initiative builds on the notes kept by James Madison during the convention. In addition, we will include review and link to relevant Federalist and Antifederalist debates, constitutional interpretation, citizens' action. Psychological insights used to build the constitutional framework by the founders will be analyzed and modern understanding will be used to suggest ways to reimagine the Constitution.
"To give a new System its proper validity and energy, a ratification must be obtained from the people, and not merely from the ordinary authority of the Legislatures. This will be the more essential as inroads on the existing Constitutions of the States will be unavoidable."
Strategy
We envision a process that is informed by a “modern” understanding of human nature to "develop" a constitutional framework adequate for social, political and economic life in the twenty-first century. Our process provides an easy to use a framework that embraces crowdsourcing and other tools and events for collaboration to address challenges in our society.
The Daily Topic
A “daily topic”, coinciding with the debates in the constitutional convention and the publication of the Federalist and Antifederalist papers, and other relevant documents and interpretation will be introduced and discussed. Psychological insights used to build the constitutional framework by the founders will be analyzed and modern understanding will be used to suggest ways to reimagine the Constitution. The topic will be linked where possible to My Political Ecosystem. Additionally formats for public opinion including The Citizen Brief, The Medical Case Presentation and The Citizen Commission will be suggested. .
The Case of the United States 1787
The Case Presentation of the United States 1787 builds on the understanding of the biologic process and current treatment approaches to medical conditions as a framework to address the political disease that had led to the 1787 Constitutional Convention. It is our goal to do a more deliberative, respectable solutions oriented process inspired by hope and built on compromise that serves the public.
Resources
Resources about Major Themes Debated at the 1787 Constitutional Convention are available. (External Websites)
We invite anyone who shares our vision and mission to take part in our work, suggest topics, pose questions, write posts, and most importantly, contribute to the conversation.