In the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, the term posterity refers to future generations of Americans. The phrase ‘to ourselves and our posterity’ expresses the intention of the Founding Fathers to create a framework of government that would benefit not only the people living at that time but also the descendants who would come after them.
This idea underscores the importance of designing a government that is not merely focused on the immediate needs and circumstances but that also considers the long-term implications of its policies and decisions. In essence, the Constitution was crafted with an awareness that it would serve as a foundation for the nation for years to come, ensuring liberty, justice, and general welfare for all who would inhabit the country in the future.