When economic
interest is seen behind the political clauses of the Constitution, then the
document becomes not simply the work of wise men trying to establish a decent
and orderly society, but the work of certain groups trying to maintain their
privileges, while giving just enough rights and liberties to enough of the
people to ensure popular support. The American system is the most ingenious
system of control in world history.
The Constitution illustrates
the complexity of the American system: that it serves the interests of a
wealthy elite, but also does enough for small property owners, for
middle-income mechanics and farmers, to build a broad base of support. The
slightly prosperous people who make up this base of support are buffers against
the blacks, the Indians, the very poor whites. They enable the elite to keep
control with a minimum of coercion, a maximum of law - all made palatable by
the fanfare of patriotism and unity.
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