Natural Law and The United States Constitution
| Autor | Robert Barker |
| Cargo | Master of Arts (in History) and Juris Doctor (in Law), Duquesne University |
| Páginas | 143-160 |
143
Natural Law and The United States
Constitution
El Derecho Natural y la Constitución
de los Estados Unidos*
roBert s. Barker**
ABSTRACT: in the Declaration of Independence of the United States,
the Founders proclaimed their belief in God and in the Natural Law.
Eleven years later, another group of Founders met to frame an ins-
trument that would strengthen the union of the States. Their work
– the Constitution of the United States – is a practical application
of the principles of the Natural Law invoked in the Declaration of
Independence.
The Natural Law of the Founders of the Constitution is the classical
- traditional Natural Law of Greek – Roman - Christian civilization,
based upon God, and not the Natural law of the Enlightenment,
which was based only on human reason and will.
* Versión en español de este estudio en Actas del Simposio Internacional: Revisión del Le-
gado Jurídico de la Revolución Francesa en las Américas, efectuado en Santiago de Chile,
28 abril de 2011, organizado por la Facultad de Derecho y Comunicación Social de la
Universidad Bernardo O´Higgins en sus 20 años.
** Master of Arts (in History) and Juris Doctor (in Law), Duquesne University. Professor at
Duquesne University School of Law and Adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh
School of Law. .
Artículo recibido el 13 de abril y aprobado el 23 de mayo de 2011.
144
BARKER, ROBERT S. (2011): "NATURAL LAW AND THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION"
The inuence of classical-traditional Natural Law is reected in three
fundamental aspects of the Constitution: limited government, sub-
sidiarity, and the guaranteeing of rights only as against government.
KEY WORDS: Natural Law - The United States Constitution - limited
government – subsidiarity – rights guarantee
RESUMEN: En la Declaración de Independencia de los Estados
Unidos, los Fundadores proclamaron su fe en Dios y en el Derecho
Natural. Once años después, otro grupo de Fundadores se reunie-
ron para diseñar un instrumento que fortaleciera la unión entre los
Estados. Su obra -la Constitución de los Estados Unidos- es una apli-
cación práctica de los principios del Derecho Natural invocados en
la Declaración de Independencia.
El Derecho Natural de los Fundadores de la Constitución es el
Derecho Natural clásico - tradicional de la civilización griega – ro-
mana - cristiana, basado en Dios, y no el Derecho Natural de la
Iluminación, basada en la razón y voluntad humana.
La inuencia del Derecho Natural clásico - tradicional se reeja en
tres aspectos básicos de la Constitución: el principio de gobierno
limitado, la subsidiariedad, y la práctica de garantizar derechos sólo
frente al gobierno.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Derecho natural – Constitución de los Estados
Unidos – gobierno limitado – subsidiariedad – garantía de los
derechos
INTRODUCTION
The Constitution of the United States was written in Philadelphia bet-
ween May and September, 1787, and it entered into effect in April, 1789.
Today, more than two hundred twenty-two years later, it continues to be the
fundamental law of the country. Over the years, much has been said in praise
of the Constitution, its longevity and its various provisions; and thoughtful
books and articles have been devoted to the ideals and deeds of the men
who drafted this extraordinarily durable document. Frequent mention is made
of the drafters’ intellectual attachment to the Natural Law. However, what
is frequently overlooked in that regard is that the Natural Law in which the
Founding Fathers believed and to which they adhered, was the traditional
Natural Law of classical Greece and Rome and the High Middle Ages, based
on God, and not the deracinated, counterfeit natural law of the Enlightenment,
Para continuar leyendo
Solicita tu prueba