American National Government Exam 1

What are some of the basic justifications for governmental formation

Government preforms the following functions: order, promotes equality, provides public goods, collects taxes and provides public services

What is the state of nature?

The state of nature is what life would be like in the absence of political authorities

What is the social contract?

An agreement between the government and its citizens in which the government get to provide order in return for the obedience form the citizens.

Locke's perspective on the state of nature

the state of nature is generally tolerable, because humans have a moral compass that guides them

Locke's perspective on the social contract

-a social contract that balances government control and citizens' rights are vital to ensuring order.

Why do people leave the state of nature?

To protect property

Basic principles of freedom

-all governments limit freedom to do certain things

-the governments provide freedom from things that may never detrimental to society

Basic principles of order

the order the government provides stems from state of nature and the social contract

Interpretations of equality

-political equality

-equality of opportunity

-equality of outcome

Why is conflict inevitable in politics?

limitation of resources and incompatible values

What do American Liberals generally believe?

generally believe the government should take an active role in solving social problems, promoting equality, and regulating the economy to protect people

What do American Conservatives generally believe?

generally believe the government should have a more limited role, with more focus on individual responsibility, free markets, and traditional values.

What types of government are associated with the number of people who rule?

monarchy (one), dictatorship (one w/ force), oligarchy (few), democracy (many)

What are the two major views of democratic government?

Procedural and Substantive

Procedural View

All about rules and processes

-who should participate

-how much should each individual opinion count

-how responsive is government

Substantive View

What government actually does

-evaluates the substance of politics

-usually requires guarantees for civil rights and liberties

Majoritarian Model of Government

Government by the majority (assumes mass participation)

Pularlist Model of Government

Government by the groups (Individuals have impact through groups)

Elite Model of Government

Government by the few (power is based on economic power and elections don't matter)

How democratic is the U.S. system

it depends (how much impact do you expect)

What were the most significant problems associated with the U.S.'s first governing document?

-the central government could only ask for money

-the government could only request militiamen

-the government could not regulate foreign trade

-contracts were not binding from state to state

-states placed tariffs on good from other states

-money was almost worthless

What events led to the call for reform of the articles?

Shays' Rebellion, trade disputes, economic instability.

What problems were addressed by the Articles of Confederation?

Ownership of western land and how to create new states

What were the major issues and areas of conflict at the constitutional convention?

1. Small vs large state

2. Slave vs non slave

3. Structure of the executive (single or plural)

Small vs Large State

Small: equal representation of all states in the upper chamber (senate), senators selected by state legislators (senators are now popularly elected by the people) Large: representation by population in the lower chamber of congress (HOR), members of the house selected by popular vote of the people

Slave vs Non slave states

Slave: 3/5 compromise for representation Non slave: ban on importation of slaves

Structure of the executive (single or plural)

Single and strongPlural and weak

Electoral College

State legislators pick electors or choose the method of selecting the electors Change: electors get 2 votes

Does the Electoral College work as intended by the framers

No, they assumed the electors would be free agents. Now we have political parties

Elements involved in ratifying the Constitution

1. Requirement for unity 2. Lack of bill of rights

Structural elements to support the idea of democracy

Popular votes, indirect election for the executive

Basic method to propose constitutional amendments

- 2/3 vote at both chambers

- 2/3 of the states, congress can call a convention

Basic method to ratify the constitution

3/4 of number of states

Seperation of Powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

Checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Do checks and balances complement each other, or are they antagonistic?

they are antagonistic

Limited Government

Enumerated powers; government can only do what it is explicitly told

Powers within the American governing system?

Enumerated, implied, concurrent, restricted, reserved

McCulloch vs Maryland

Could the central government create a national bank? Yes, they can coin money and regulate currency. (implied powers)

Federal Supremacy

federal law takes precedence over conflicting state law

Representative Democracy

where citizens elect representitives to govern for them

Judicial Review

Created by Marburry vs. Madison Power of the courts to review the actions taken by other political actors to decide if it is constitutional