Final answer:
A citizen's first duty is generally to obey the laws of the nation, which are meant to maintain order and protect rights and liberties. However, civil disobedience may become a duty in cases of corrupt governance. The necessary and proper clause of the U.S. Constitution has expanded rather than limited the powers of the national government.
Step-by-step explanation:
From the perspective of social contract theory, it is commonly argued that a citizen's first duty is indeed to obey the laws of the nation. This is because the laws are fundamental to maintaining order and protecting the rights and liberties of the people. However, thinkers like Gandhi have argued that when a government becomes corrupt or lawless, civil disobedience becomes a sacred duty, thereby highlighting circumstances where obeying the laws is not seen as the first duty of a citizen.
In the context of the United States, the Constitution establishes the framework for law and governance. The necessary and proper clause, rather than limiting the power of the national government, has actually been interpreted to give Congress broad authority to enact laws essential to carrying out its enumerated powers. This is demonstrated in Exercise 9.3.1 where the correct answer is b. False, highlighting that the clause has not limited but expanded federal power.
More broadly, the third clause in the Constitution requires elected representatives to uphold the Constitution above any personal or state allegiances, ensuring that they adhere to the supreme law of the land. Citizenship involves not just rights but also active participation and duty towards upholding constitutional values.