The James Madison Project
"So strong is this propensity of mankind to fall into mutual animosities, that where no substantial occasion presents itself, the most frivolous and fanciful distinctions have been sufficient to kindle their unfriendly passions and excite their most violent conflicts."
James Madison Federalist 10
Reimagine the Constitution
Building upon the events of the 1787 constitutional convention the initiative uses the proceeding to focus on the current implications of the constitution. 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 and introduce relevant commentary and historical events that amplify our understanding of the topic. We examine the debates that led to the formulation of the US constitution. 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.
The Story of 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.
This initiative offers insights into the rationale that led to the constitutional convention. The initiative focuses on the current implications of the constitution created at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. 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.
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. 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.
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 The Medical Case Presentation and My Political Ecosystem.
What if the 1787 Constitutional Convention took place in the present?
What would the constitution look like?
The Re-Imagine the Constitution Initiative
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.
The Case of the United States 1787
We start with the Case of the United States 1787 as a vehicle for the discussion of the principles and history of the period and the motivation of the founders in convening the constitutional convention.
Resources about Major Themes Debated at the 1787 Constitutional Convention are available.
More
Example”
The Constitutional Convention: Monday, 29th of May 1787