Case Study
Imagine a small island community thrives for decades as a liberal democracy. Through a collaborative process of open and considerate negotiations about the needs of all its members, the community drafts its own constitution. The constitution honors the rights of individuals to pursue happiness in any way they want that does not harm others. It promises freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly, among other liberties. The constitution also specifies a procedure by which new leaders are chosen and provides them with some authority to make new laws in response to circumstances that were not anticipated in drafting the constitution.
Over time, one of the religious groups in the communities steadily gains members until it becomes the majority religion. The leaders of the group believe the laws of the community should reflect the strict moral code of the religion. Because they form a majority, they are able to elect leaders who advocate for laws that weaken the liberties enshrined in the original constitution. Members of religious minorities are finding it increasingly difficult to gather and practice their faith without violating the new laws imposed by the religious majority.
-Should the intentions of the original writers of the constitution constrain how new laws are made? Or should the new lawmakers feel free to interpret the document as narrowly or broadly as they see fit?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer of Case Study
Imagine a small island community thrives for decades as a liberal democracy. Through a collaborative process of open and considerate negotiations about the needs of all its members, the community drafts its own constitution. The constitution honors the rights of individuals to pursue happiness in any way they want that does not harm others. It promises freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly, among other liberties. The constitution also specifies a procedure by which new leaders are chosen and provides them with some authority to make new laws in response to circumstances that were not anticipated in drafting the constitution.
Over time, one of the religious groups in the communities steadily gains members until it becomes the majority religion. The leaders of the group believe the laws of the community should reflect the strict moral code of the religion. Because they form a majority, they are able to elect leaders who advocate for laws that weaken the liberties enshrined in the original constitution. Members of religious minorities are finding it increasingly difficult to gather and practice their faith without violating the new laws imposed by the religious majority.
-Should the intentions of the original writers of the constitution constrain how new laws are made? Or should the new lawmakers feel free to interpret the document as narrowly or broadly as they see fit?

Case Study Imagine a Small Island Community Thrives for Decades as a as a Liberal