Report on Committee I

Paul Bender and Martha A. Field

The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 1976, vol. 426, issue 1, 70-80

Abstract: It was suggested that a way of clarifying con stitutional values might be to look closer at the framers of the Constitution—what were their views and background. They were elitists, from diverse backgrounds, representing a rela tively broad spectrum for the time. Particular revolutionary values were discussed, beginning with equality. Discussion particularly centered on whether equality referred to "equal ity of opportunity" or "equality of result." It was expressed that equality of result was not in conflict with equality of opportunity but a necessary tool to achieve it. Generally, equality of opportunity was preferred to equality of result, except that there should be a certain amount of result equality in order to ensure real equality of opportunity, and it was agreed that quotas were sometimes necessary to correct past discrimination. Other values were discussed briefly, including domestic tranquility, exporting democracy, free speech, constitutional respect for individual autonomy and privacy, and fairness of treatment by government. Revolu tionary values were summarized as falling into 3 categories: freedom of expression, equality, and protection from govern ment arbitrariness.

Date: 1976
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:anname:v:426:y:1976:i:1:p:70-80

DOI: 10.1177/000271627642600108

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