“The United States Constitution has proved itself the most marvelously elastic compilation of rules of government ever written.”
- January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945
- American
- Politician
- [Achievements]
- As president of the United States, he promoted economic recovery from the Great Depression with the New Deal policy
- He led the Allied powers to victory in World War II
- [Criticism]
- His hard-line policy toward Japan triggered the attack on Pearl Harbor
- He pushed for the forced internment policy of Japanese Americans due to racist feelings toward the Japanese
- He promoted the Manhattan Project, a plan to develop the atomic bomb
Quote
“The United States Constitution has proved itself the most marvelously elastic compilation of rules of government ever written.”
Explanation
In this quote, Franklin D. Roosevelt praises the flexibility and adaptability of the U.S. Constitution. Roosevelt is acknowledging that the Constitution, despite being a centuries-old document, has been able to evolve and remain relevant over time due to its broad principles and elasticity. By describing it as “marvelously elastic,” Roosevelt highlights how the Constitution has been able to address new challenges and changing circumstances in American society, often through interpretation and amendment. This flexibility has allowed it to guide the nation through periods of tremendous social, political, and economic change, such as the Civil War, the Great Depression, and the rise of the modern welfare state.
Roosevelt’s perspective reflects his belief that the Constitution is not a rigid set of rules but rather a living document that should be understood in the context of the evolving needs of the nation. The Constitution’s capacity for interpretation by the judicial system, especially the Supreme Court, has allowed it to be applied to contemporary issues, such as civil rights, economic regulation, and executive powers. Roosevelt, in particular, often called upon the Constitution’s adaptability to support his New Deal programs, which sought to address the economic crisis of the Great Depression.
In today’s context, this quote serves as a reminder of the enduring strength and adaptability of the U.S. Constitution, especially in a rapidly changing world. As new issues like technology, climate change, and globalization emerge, the Constitution continues to serve as a framework for addressing these challenges. The ongoing debates over constitutional interpretation—whether it’s the scope of executive powers or the balance of individual rights and government authority—underscore the Constitution’s role as both a foundational document and a tool for addressing modern-day concerns. Roosevelt’s words reinforce the notion that the Constitution’s greatest strength lies in its ability to evolve and meet the needs of each generation.
