1. Based on the arguments presented in Readings 6.1 and 6.2, which social class wrote the Constitution, and which class was excluded and not allowed to participate in this process? In your comment, make sure you clearly specify the difference between the two classes by giving examples from the readings. In reading 6.1, “Democracy for the Few” by Michael Parenti, they identify the people of the Constitution as “just such wealthy and powerful ‘gentlemen’, our Founding Fathers.” (Parenti p.6). They excluded “poor farmers, Artisans, Indentured servants, or slaves” from “attending the convention to proffer an opposing viewpoint.” (Parenti p.9). In reading 6.2, “An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States” by Charles Beard, they identify the “Founding Fathers” as by Madison “the Republican liberty” (Beard p.1); and the working class to be excluded from politics.
  2. Would say that the social class structure of early United States society, was the same as ours today, or different? Explain. In todays society, there are very similar things in our class structure between the early United States society. An example is taxes. In the passage, “Democracy for the Few” by Michael Parenti, it states, “This process of using the taxing power to gain money from the working populace in order to bolster private fortunes continues to this day.” (Parenti p.9).
  3. Why were the people who wrote the Constitution so afraid of democracy? Hint: think about how to answer this question by discussing it in terms of social classes. The people who wrote the Constitution stated democracy to be “the worst of all Political evils.’ As Elbridge Gerry put it.” (Parenti p.8). This was because they believed democracy would give to much power to the people of society in having some rule and opinion in politics. In, “Democracy for the Few” by Michael Parenti, “Roger Sherman concurred: ‘The people should have as little to do as may be about the Government’ (Parenti p.8).

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