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Why Is The Constitution Considered A Living Document?

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Why Is The Constitution Considered A Living Document?
Why is the Constitution considered a "living document"? Include in your discussion the ideas of: separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review and the amendment process. The Constitution is a living document due to changing over time and the adaptations to new circumstances without being formally amended (Strauss). Also because of bills, laws, and appeals. These things are constantly being applied by the amendments and without this document many laws would not have prior history to fall back on or precedent. There are four things that are involved in the constitution that provided information on how this document is a living document. These things are Separation of power, checks and balances, judicial reviews, and the amendment process. When the constitution was created the Framers believed that separation of power was necessary to protect against potential tyranny within the three branches. Checks and balances happened to be one of the …show more content…
This gives each branch the constitutional authority to check on acts to make sure that none of the branches are trying to become dominate. The exercise of checks and balances would include vetoes, judicial review, impeachment, and confirmation (Magleby). So with separation of state and checks and balances working together the constitution can ensure that there is limited power between these divisions. Other things these to process can help with is congress, the press, and the judicial system. Separation of power and checks and balances show these groups that there are limitations for the president, voting occurs and depending on the issue that is happening laws can be made or changed depending on the senate or judicial branch. Another very active part of the constitution is judicial reviews. Judicial reviews all the court to have the power to review laws or

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