The Founders set out a plan whereby the United States would exist and function through a social contract theory of government divided into three branches, and powered through representation. The National period saw many changes with regard to philosophy, interpretation, and legislation, but the underlying foundation of the constitution remained the same. The modern period of United States history, again, saw changes with respect to correcting problems of the past eras, but focused more on social issues to bring about those changes, i.e., righting the wrongs.

Many significant individuals played a part in that ever-transforming evolution of the United States government, as will be evident with the coming decades of a new century. It remains to be seen how these alterations will ebb and flow within U.S. society as well as with influential present-day leaders. However, the underlying principle remaining constant through these decades, eras, and centuries of change is the United States Constitution.