In Tocqueville's discussion of how the majority in America constrains freedom of thought, he makes some of the most extreme criticisms against democracy. For example, he says "I do not know any country where, in general, less independence of mind and genuine freedom of discussion reign than in America"; and, "there is no freedom of mind in America."

In this lesson, students continue their examination of Tocqueville's argument about the power of the majority and its consequences. Having suggested previously that the majority can crush a minority without even hearing its screams, he elaborates on the dangers of unchecked and unlimited power in democratic America and how to deal with it.

The Magna Carta served to lay the foundation for the evolution of parliamentary government and subsequent declarations of rights in Great Britain and the United States. In attempting to establish checks on the king's powers, this document asserted the right of "due process" of law.

In this lesson, students examine the political philosophies of Plato and Aristotle and how they may have influenced the framers of the Constitution. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students consider and discuss political quotations from Plato and Aristotle.

This lesson involves students in a number of critical thinking exercises. Each exercise presents a series of quandaries representing many great ideas and principles that have shaped our constitutional heritage, some
contradictory but of equal merit to the others. In each exercise, students apply principles and ideas to a contemporary issue and then take a position and defend their judgments.

This lesson examines sources of presidential power and ways that checks and balances limit presidential power.

A sample lesson from the Center for Civic Education's "We the People," which focuses on the ideas that influenced the founding fathers. Critical Thinking Exercises are included at the end of the chapter.