Handout E: Self-Governance and American Self-Government

Handout E: Self-Governance and American Self-Government

1. How is civic virtue important for the success of the constitutional republic that the U.S. Founders created?
2. Self-governance integrates self-reliance and moderation. It means to show self-control, avoid extremes, and not to be influenced or controlled by others. How does self-government at a societal level require self-governance on an individual level?
3. Moments after taking the oath of office for the first time, President Washington addressed the new nation, stating, “The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.” How can you personally uphold the virtue of self-governance and ensure the success of this U.S. experiment in representative government?
4. Draw lines to connect each constitutional principle listed below to a civic virtue that relates to it and is necessary for it to function as the Founders intended in the U.S. Constitution.
   1. Constitutional Principles
      1. Checks and balances
      2. Consent of the governed
      3. Federalism
      4. Individual liberty
      5. Limited government
      6. Separation of Powers
   2. Civic Virtues
      1. Contribution
      2. Courage
      3. Humility
      4. Integrity
      5. Justice
      6. Perseverance
      7. Respect
      8. Responsibility
      9. Self-Governance