Which of the following statements offers an explanation that supports the theory of Living Constitutionalism?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks which statement provides an explanation that supports the theory of Living Constitutionalism, so we need to evaluate how well each option aligns with that theory.
Option 1: 'The Constitution has no definitive meaning and so judges can use the ambiguity to enact their own policy preferences.' This view suggests judicial activism driven by personal policy goals rather than a theory about constitutional interpretation that accounts for evolving meaning; it overemphasizes ambiguity and can lead to arbitrary outcomes, which is not the standard articulation of Living Constitutionalism.
Option 2: 'The Constitution evolves and grows over time as its broad values are applied to new situations in a changing society.' This directly captures the core idea of Living Constitutionalism: the text embodies enduring principles, but their application adapts as society changes, allowing constitutional meaning to develop with time and context. This framing is the hallmark of the Living approach.
Option 3: 'The Constitution is an attempt to live up to the values of the Declaration of Independence, which represents the living spirit of the American people.' While this connects constitutional values to the Declaration, Living Constitutionalism focuses on the evolving interpretation of the Constitution itself rather than aligning it primarily with the Declaration’s framers’ intentions or a continual reference to a living spirit; the linkage is more about source values than about adaptive interpretation of constitutional text.
Option 4: 'The Constitution reflects the will of the people at the time when it was originally adopted and on those momentous occasions when it was subsequently amended.' This description aligns more with originalism or a more static interpretive approach, emphasizing original meanings or changes through amendments, rather than a dynamic, evolving interpretation characteristic of Living Constitutionalism.
In summary, option 2 most accurately and directly articulates the Living Constitutionalism view by emphasizing evolving interpretation as society changes, while the other options either hinge on static readings, claim excessive ambiguity without a mechanism for evolution, or anchor interpretation to sources or historical moments in a way that contrasts with the central Living Constitutionalism idea across time.

POL 007V 001 FQ 2025 🌻#2 - POL7V Quiz

Which of the following statements offers an explanation that supports the theory of Living Constitutionalism?

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