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About this quote

What does it mean?
The Constitution exists only because the people will it to exist, and they can end it.
In plain terms
The people created the Constitution and can change it whenever they want.
What can you take from it?
Popular sovereignty is the source of constitutional authority.

Where it applies

  • civic education
  • constitutional amendment
  • political theory

Putting it to work

  • empower citizen participation
  • understand legal origin

Questions to consider

  • Who holds ultimate authority?
  • How does will become law?

Another view

In practice, changing the Constitution is extremely difficult.

More from John Marshall

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