The success of the Constitution lies in its flexibility. But it is flexible because it speaks in broad and sometimes murky phrases.
Why has the American Constitution been so successful? To begin with, it was the first constitution and thus the obvious precedent for all subsequent constitution-makers. Most constitution-writers are lawyers, and lawyers inevitably seek precedents (Richard, 2004). From the beginning, commentaries on the American Constitution were published-and studied and discussed by fellow lawyers throughout the world. America's Founding Fathers believed in a constitutionally limited republic and they succeeded in constructing a regime that balanced order and liberty.
The Constitution has endured for more than 200 years, and it continues to shape the country’s most pressing social and political controversies. Some constitutional issues, such as the appropriate balance of authority between the state and federal governments, remain as unsettled as they were when the Constitution was adopted in 1788. Some issues, seemingly settled, are still being tested—for example, the debate over abortion continues (Richard, 2004). So, too, is the debate over whether the states may curb a proliferation of hate speech that vilifies minority groups. The courts must also adapt and interpret the Constitution to confront issues never anticipated by the framers, such as privacy rights on the Internet.
An integral part of the Constitution is that it provides provisions to change the Constitution through amendment (John, 2001). This is a significant aspect included by the founding fathers. The founding fathers realized that to create a lasting document that the Constitution must be able to change with the times. However, adding an amendment to the Constitution is quite difficult, and has only been done 27 times in the history of the United States. In order for an amendment to be passed it must be ratified by both Houses of Congress, and then be ratified by two thirds of the states.................
