This paper offers a comparative analysis of the preambles of the United States Constitution and the Massachusetts State Constitution. It examines the U.S. preamble's emphasis on national unity, common defense, and the consolidation of power from thirteen fractured colonies into a central government. It then contrasts this with the Massachusetts preamble's invocation of natural law, divine providence, and—most notably—an explicit reservation of the people's right to rebel against an unjust government. The paper concludes by identifying shared commitments to the common good and equality present in both documents, while highlighting the more secular character of the federal preamble versus the religiously grounded tone of the state constitution.
The preamble of the United States Constitution is concerned with the unification of the individual states under a common endeavor. (U.S. Const. pmbl.) This is evident in its reference to the creation of "a more perfect union." (U.S. Const. pmbl.) This framing is hardly surprising in light of the debates that took place during the Constitutional Convention in Pennsylvania, where tensions were evident between the individual states and the central government that was to be formed. Those tensions arose because the states were being asked to cede a significant amount of power to a central authority.
The preamble attempts to alleviate the concerns of the states by framing all of its language in such a manner as to make the security of the individual states coextensive with the security of the central government. (U.S. Const. pmbl.) As such, notions of justice, domestic tranquility, and — most importantly — the idea of a "common defense" are among the central guiding principles of the Constitution as a whole. These principles were used to justify the creation of a central government where once there were thirteen fractured colonies. (U.S. Const. pmbl.) Unity is emphasized so as to highlight the benefits of ceding power; namely, the idea that all citizens are far safer together.
"Natural law, divine right, and right to rebel"
"Shared values of common good and equality"
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.