the constitution as an instrument
...e what’s going on and truly take over so it is actually ruled by the people. The use of the Constitution as an instrument could quickly turn if the people all join together, rallying the Constitution as a symbol, and challenging the democracy as it exists. Corwin is concerned about the government’s actions towards “big business” because most of the founders of the Constitution were in the trading business. When they wrote the Constitution, they geared it towards their protection to a certain degree. For several years, Chief Justice Marshall leaned in favor of big businesses, actually being almost separate of the government so that the government would not control businesses. Corwin’s opinion of big businesses are being protected by the government. On page 1082, Corwin talks about a “constitutional fetish”. When he talks about this, he is referring to how people use it to get ahead. They were exaggeratedly devoted to it and what it meant, using it as an instrument by claiming it was a symbol. They were hiding beneath the deception of the Constitutional while using it for their own immediate gains. I think that the Constitution as a symbol is more important than the Constitution as an instrument. As a symbol, the Constitution holds power on it’s own. It is the final authority figure and Americans know that the Constitution holds the final word. It is their rock to stand upon, regardless of social class or background of the person. As an instrument, the Constitution can be manipulated in many ways depending on who holds the power and which way it needs to be manipulated- both good and evil. When the government starts to go corrupt, the symbolic power of the Constitution will stand and the American people will rally behind that sign no matter who stands in power because the Constitution holds the highest and most ultimate power. To Americans, the Constitution is like the Bible to Christians- the ultimate and final say and that is what will stand firm no matter what- the truth. The Constitution serves as a symbol today of independence and ways for minorities to have a say and raise their voices against the majority. It stands for freedom and rights that every person has and is entitled to. It also serves as a way for people to explain their actions, regardless of current society’s moral codes of the time. A great example of this that suggests to me that the Constitution is in tro...