Question

3. Roosevelt asserted that the expanded reach of the federal government to solve economic problems was not an essential change to the Constitution. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Answer 1

President Franklin D. Roosevelt expanded the federal government's role to tackle the Great Depression, an action that some viewed as a constitutional change, while others saw it as a response to crises without altering the Constitution's fundamentals.

Step-by-step explanation:

President Franklin D. Roosevelt's assertion that the expansion of the federal government's power to address economic woes did not fundamentally change the Constitution can be viewed through various lenses. During the Great Depression, FDR's New Deal programs enlarged the scope of federal intervention, especially to provide economic relief and social welfare. This shift was contentious and faced initial Supreme Court challenges, but ultimately reflected the public's demand for government involvement in times of crisis. Critics then and since have debated this as a departure from a culture of individualism towards the creation of a welfare state, yet by 1941, the concept of some government role in economic regulation was largely accepted. FDR's philosophy of the President as the 'steward of the people' allowed for a proactive approach to governance, resisting complete nationalization while promoting reforms to stabilize the economy.

Answer 2

Roosevelt's expansion of government during the New Deal was a practical response to the Great Depression and did not fundamentally alter the Constitution. It resulted in the acceptance of government intervention as a part of American political culture. The expansion was an application of the Constitution's inherent flexibility to address national challenges.

Step-by-step explanation:

Roosevelt asserted that the expanded reach of the federal government to solve economic problems was not an essential change to the Constitution. I would agree with this assertion, as the expansion of the federal government during the New Deal under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's leadership was mainly an adaptation to the dire circumstances of the Great Depression.

The purpose was to revitalize the economy and protect the welfare of the American people, rather than to redefine constitutional principles. The New Deal programs indeed expanded the federal government's role in economic regulation and social welfare, which has subsequently become a settled aspect of American political life. This expansion was a practical response to an unprecedented crisis, reflecting the flexibility inherent within the constitutional framework to meet the nation's needs.

The Supreme Court initially resisted some aspects of the New Deal but later adjusted its stance, suggesting an evolving interpretation of constitutional boundaries in light of changing national conditions. Moreover, the notion of the federal government as the arbiter of economic forces and a safeguard for justice was essential to ensure stability and public confidence, both of which are prerequisites for a functioning democratic society. Roosevelt's reforms did not fundamentally change the Constitution but illuminated its capacity to address contemporary challenges through a more dynamic federal government.

This does not fundamentally alter the Constitution but reflects a more active application of its principles. Additionally, initiatives like social security and unemployment insurance have become cornerstones of modern social policy, demonstrating the long-term acceptance of certain levels of governmental involvement in economic affairs.