Active participant in our democracy and in your community

Political Influences: Early political influences descended largely from Enlightenment thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Charles de Montesquieu who argued based on core principles such as social contracts that governments must be limited by certain laws (Phillips 2016). In 1787 delegates from 12 states gathered in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention where they fashioned out what ultimately became the framework for present-day American democracy (National Archives n.d., Ratification Timeline 2018). Several debates ensued over major issues such as representation in Congress yet ultimately compromises between large and small states were agreed upon resulting in both a bicameral legislature with one house being apportioned based on population size and another being equal amongst all states regardless their respective numbers (Norton & Blight 2013; Ratification Timeline 2018). This combination resulted in an effective balance between federalism principles while allowing each state represented equally under constitutional law. Philosophical Influences: Finally philosophical influences also played an important role shaping many aspects within U.S Constitution itself especially those involving civil liberties ( Phillips 2016) . For instance Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence defined liberty “as life ,liberty ,and pursuit happiness" helping form basis for Bill Rights later added into Constitution through amendments.. Additionally Enlightenment thinkers like Jean -Jacques Rousseau argued humans should possess natural rights including ‘life property freedom speech etc(Phillips 2017 ).These ideas echoed Founding Fathers helping lay groundwork modern democracy emphasizing importance protecting citizens against oppressive government rule . By incorporating these ideals into US Constitution framers created foundation current civil liberties Americans enjoy today . Economic Influences: Economic factors certainly played roles influencing formation US constitution too most notably regarding power relations between large ,small states . During Constitutional convention much debate occurred whether each state have single vote or whether larger more populated ones have more weight reflecting their increased populations… Ultimately smaller states won out adopting Great Compromise same number legislative votes per despite differences size population . This decision ensured economic stability among less populous regions time but has stood decades after due its ability strike proper balance economic interests different parts country( Norton Blight 2013 )Ratification timeline 2018 ). As result US continues exist stronger than ever before