Final answer:
The constitutional formula put forward comprises principles such as Popular Sovereignty and Limited Government, and it allows for evolution through formal and informal amendments. The U.S. Constitution's adaptability, through a rigorous amendment process and interpretation, ensures it remains relevant over time. This living document debate acknowledges the role of the people in updating the framework to fit contemporary society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The constitutional formula put forward as the best comprises the fundamental principles of the U.S. Constitution, which include Popular Sovereignty and Limited Government among others. The Constitution is often deemed a "living document" because it has the ability to evolve through amendments. The formal amendment process is rigorous, requiring approval by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states. Informally, the Constitution can evolve through judicial interpretations, the passage of laws, and changes in practices or societal norms.
These amendments reflect the influence of Enlightenment ideas and provide a framework for balancing liberty with order, and equality with individual rights. The Founding Fathers envisioned a government reflective of these principles, adjustable through democratic means. This adaptability has ensured that the blueprint for government remains relevant over time, exemplified by the fact that it has only been formally amended 27 times, with the first ten amendments constituting the Bill of Rights.
The debate over whether the Constitution should be interpreted as a static document with fixed meanings or as a dynamic framework that adapts to contemporary challenges is ongoing. Political figures and jurists, like Thomas Jefferson and Justice William Brennan, have expressed that the Constitution entrusts the people with the power to pursue amendments and adapt the document to the changing contexts of society. This acknowledges the complexity of interpreting the framers' original intentions in a modern landscape.