Michael Oreskes, executive editor of the International Herald Tribune (IHT) and co-author of the book, "The Genius of America: How The Constitution Saved Our Country and Why It Can Again," explains how baron de Montesquieu’s views of democracy influenced the framers of the U.S. Constitution.

Discussion Questions

1. Who was baron de Montesquieu? What impact did he have on the development of the U.S. Constitution?
2. What is democracy? Which form of democracy is outlined in the U.S. Constitution? Explain Montesquieu’s vision of democracy.
3. How did the framers of the Constitution like James Madison, go “beyond Montesquieu?” According to Mr. Oreskes, why did Madison believe including a Bill of Rights in the Constitution was unnecessary?
4. After the framers completed the Constitution in 1787, how did people react to the document? What did Madison and the other framers do in response?