Introduction to American Government & Politics

Assignment Brief

FOUNDING FATHERS RESEARCH PAPER POLITICAL SCIENCE 2

Introduction to American Government & Politics

Purpose:

The purpose of this paper is to acquaint you with the political thought of the Founding Fathers by applying their political philosophy to a current event. In addition, through this exercise, students should become familiar with the basics of academic research.

Instructions:

Part 1

Current Event: Students should identify and explain a current political problem in American politics. For the purposes of this paper, a current event is an event related to government or politics that occurred on or after August 1, 2017. To identify a current political problem, students are encouraged to review news headlines from reputable news outlets, the course syllabus, the textbook, or other reputable sources. Students should pick a topic that implicates one or more of the themes discussed in relation to government and politics. Such themes include, but are not limited to, God, the relationship between God, the State, and man, the relationship between Church and State, justice, law, authority, subsidiarity, religious freedom, liberty, federalism, civil liberties, and civil rights. To sufficiently examine the political problem chosen, students must rely on primary sources (a document written during the time under study by a source that was present at the time of the event, e.g. statutes, regulations, case law, executive orders, treaties, provisions of the Constitution, etc.)1 and secondary sources (a source that is one or more steps removed from the primary source which interprets and analyzes the primary source, e.g. newspapers, magazines, peer-reviewed academic journals, commentaries, etc.).2 For additional requirements in this section, consult the checklist below.

Part 2

Founding Father: Once you have identified a current political problem that interests you, review the list of Founding Fathers below and choose one that interests you. Students must choose a Founding Father from the individuals listed as signatories to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, or “Other Founding Fathers” below. For Part 2 of this paper, locate research materials that will enable you to write a thorough summary that identifies and explains your Founding Father’s political ideas that are relevant to the political problem you chose. In order to accomplish this task, you will want to do enough research to locate primary sources, read them, and incorporate your findings in your discussion. Examples of primary sources include speeches, letters, newspaper articles, and pamphlets written by your Founding Father. In addition, the Federalist Papers, Anti-Federalist Papers, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Articles of Confederation are also primary sources. You may also consult secondary sources such as biographies, peer-reviewed scholarly articles, books, magazine articles, and reputable web articles to assist you in your research. For additional requirements in this section, consult the checklist below.

Part 3

Application of Your Founding Father’s Political Philosophy to the Current Event You Chose: Once you have identified a current event and a Founding Father, analyze the current event you chose in light of your Founding Father’s political philosophy. In other words, based your Founding Father’s political philosophy, would your Founding Father support the current event you chose or not? Is the current event you chose consistent with the Constitution and Founding Principles or not? This portion of the paper should constitute the majority of your paper. In order to have a successful paper, especially in the application portion of the paper, you will need to engage in extensive research to assist you with drafting your essay (i.e. a minimum of seven sources). However, to avoid the penalties for cheating and plagiarism, please be sure to use your own words and cite the relevant sources. For additional requirements in this section, please consult the checklist below.

Sample Answer

James Madison, Free Speech, and the Modern Debate over Social Media Censorship

Introduction

American politics today continues to be shaped by the principles set out at the nation’s founding. The writings and ideas of the Founding Fathers remain essential to understanding how the Constitution applies to modern political disputes. One of the most pressing current political problems is the regulation of speech on social media platforms and the role of government in balancing free expression with the spread of harmful or misleading content. This issue brings into focus fundamental questions of liberty, authority, and civil rights.

This paper examines the debate over free speech and social media censorship through the lens of James Madison’s political philosophy. Madison, often described as the “Father of the Constitution,” was one of the strongest defenders of freedom of expression and religious liberty. By analysing Madison’s writings and applying his thought to the contemporary debate, this essay argues that Madison would remain sceptical of any government attempt to limit speech, even in the digital age, though he would also recognise the challenges posed by private actors controlling the platforms of public discourse.

Part 1: Current Political Problem – Social Media Censorship and Free Speech

Since 2017, debates about freedom of speech on social media have grown into one of the most contentious political issues in the United States. The rise of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (now X), and YouTube transformed public discourse by allowing ordinary citizens to reach millions of people instantly. Yet these same platforms have faced criticism for hosting harmful speech, including misinformation, hate speech, and foreign interference in elections.

The problem has become more complex due to government involvement. In several cases, state officials have been accused of pressuring social media companies to remove or limit certain content, raising questions about whether such actions amount to indirect government censorship (Supreme Court of the United States, Murthy v. Missouri, 2024). Critics argue that these efforts violate the First Amendment, which prohibits government restrictions on free speech. Supporters counter that misinformation can undermine democracy and public health, justifying stronger intervention.

The core constitutional issue is whether the government’s involvement in moderating online speech is consistent with the First Amendment. Since 2017, Congress and state legislatures have introduced multiple bills to regulate platforms, and lawsuits continue to test the limits of free speech online. This makes the issue highly relevant to the study of American government and to the Founders’ vision of liberty.

Part 2: James Madison and the Philosophy of Free Expression

James Madison (1751–1836) was the fourth President of the United States and one of the most influential architects of American constitutional thought. His political philosophy focused on balancing liberty with authority, and he was especially concerned with protecting individual rights from the abuse of governmental power.

Madison’s central contribution was his defence of the Bill of Rights, particularly the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of religion, press, and speech. In his Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments (1785), Madison argued that freedom of conscience is an inalienable right that must not be infringed by government. Similarly, in The Federalist Papers, particularly Federalist No. 10 and Federalist No. 51, Madison emphasised the importance of limiting government power to protect minority rights and prevent tyranny.

Primary sources show Madison’s belief that free expression was essential to a functioning republic. In his 1799 Report on the Virginia Resolutions, Madison argued against the Alien and Sedition Acts, which criminalised criticism of the federal government. He maintained that suppressing speech undermined the very principles of self-government. For Madison, liberty of speech was not only a personal right but also a political necessity, since it allowed citizens to hold their leaders accountable.

Secondary sources reinforce Madison’s reputation as the staunchest defender of civil liberties. Historian Gordon Wood (2009) describes Madison’s political thought as grounded in the conviction that liberty is safest when government powers are strictly limited. Similarly, legal scholar Akhil Reed Amar (2011) argues that Madison’s legacy endures because the First Amendment has become the cornerstone of American democratic life.

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