Final answer:
The Preamble of the US Constitution outlines aims like establishing justice, peace, and the general welfare, rooted in popular sovereignty and the protection of natural rights as advocated by John Locke. It expresses that government power comes from the people, who have the right to change it if it fails to protect these rights, indicating that these goals are continually sought after.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Preamble to the United States Constitution serves as a vital introduction that outlines the core purposes and guiding principles of the government. The phrase 'We the People' establishes the fundamental concept of popular sovereignty, affirming that the authority of government derives from the citizens. The Preamble sets forth several key objectives, including forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty for current and future generations.
These objectives are reflective of the theories of English philosopher John Locke, who advocated the protection of natural rights such as life, liberty, and property through a social contract between the governed and their rulers. The Preamble articulates that if the government fails to protect these rights, the people hold the power to alter or abolish it.
In evaluating whether the government has achieved these aims, it is clear that while the intention was to serve all citizens, historical disparities such as those experienced by women and Native Americans signify that the realization of these goals for all has been a work in progress.