Great idea, indigo! I should clarify that the “curriculum” I suggest lays a foundation for really studying politics (including the Constitution of the United States). It doesn't replace studying politics.
Might we expand this to providing ourselves with a foundation in not only
politics but also
history and
economics?
Neither the Constitution, nor the rule of law can long endure the blight of a misinformed public. history (definitions found online)
1. the study of past events, particularly in human affairs.
2. the past considered as a whole.
"letters that have changed the course of history"
3. the whole series of past events connected with someone or something.
economics (definitions found online)
1. the branch of knowledge concerned with the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth.
2. the condition of a region or group as regards material prosperity.
Some vocabulary words which may be important to this foundation:
communism (definition found online)
a political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.
oligarchy (definition found online)
a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.
plutocracy (definition found online)
1. government by the wealthy.
2. a country or society governed by the wealthy.
3. an elite or ruling class of people whose power derives from their wealth.
property rightsWhat are 'Property Rights' Laws created by governments in regards to how individuals can control, benefit from and transfer property. Economic theory contends that government enforcement of strong property rights is a determinant regarding the level of economic success seen in the area. Individuals will create new forms of property to generate wealth, only when they are assured that their rights to their property will protect them against unjust and/or unlawful actions by other parties.
Wikipedia has a page on
Property Rights. The Constitution is not silent on the subject of
Property Rights.
socialism (definition found online)
1. a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.
2. policy or practice based on the political and economic theory of socialism.
3. (in Marxist theory) a transitional social state between the overthrow of capitalism and the realization of communism.
totalitarianism (definition found online) a political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to regulate every aspect of public and private life wherever feasible
As shared in this
old post:
One definition of "free" refers to things being without cost at point of service.
Another definition of "free" refers to people being self-determining, unhindered by law or regulation; liberty.
There may be an ironic balance in that getting more "free" stuff often comes with a tradeoff of being less "free" as an increasing number of life-decisions may be made for a person by an outside entity.
There is a fine balance, beyond which a tipping point exists: if given a choice, which form of "free" do you prefer?
