Ultimate POLS Review

Social Contract, Second Treatise (John Locke)

The theory that individuals form governments to protect their natural rights; if a government fails to do so, citizens have the right to overthrow it.

Declaration of Independence

The document declaring the American colonies' independence from Great Britain in 1776, outlining grievances and asserting certain unalienable rights.

Federalist 10

A paper discussing the dangers of factions, arguing that a large republic can better control factionalism than direct democracy.

Economic Protectionism in the Constitution - Charles Beard

The argument that the US Constitution was designed to protect the economic interests of its framers, particularly favoring wealthy elites.

US Constitution

The document establishing the framework of the US federal government, ratified in 1788, dividing power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, guaranteeing fundamental rights and protections against government overreach.

Compromises on Slavery in the Constitution

The constitutional clauses that allowed the continued importation of enslaved people and counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person.

Frederick Douglass's 1852 Speech

A speech condemning American hypocrisy regarding freedom and slavery, highlighting the injustices faced by enslaved people.

Dred Scott v. Sanford

The 1857 Supreme Court decision ruling that African Americans could not be considered citizens and declaring the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.

Reparations for African Americans - Ta-Nehisi Coates

An argument for reparations that illustrates the long history of discrimination and economic exploitation of Black communities in the US.

Critique of Reparations - Adolph L. Reed Jr.

An essay arguing that reparations distract from broader social and economic reforms that would help all marginalized groups.

Charles Jones on the Presidency

A work analyzing the evolution of presidential powers and how presidents navigate constraints from Congress and the judiciary.

Voter Disenfranchisement

An exploration of barriers to democratic participation in the US, emphasizing issues like money in politics and restrictive voting laws.

Electoral College Defense

An argument that the Electoral College protects smaller states' interests and ensures political stability.

Federalist 78

A Federalist Paper by Alexander Hamilton discussing the judiciary's role in checking government branches and the importance of judicial independence.

Judicial Limits on Social Change

A work arguing that courts have limitations in enacting social change, as broader societal support is often needed.

Originalism in Constitutional Interpretation

The view that the Constitution should be interpreted based on its original meaning at the time of writing.

Pragmatic Constitutional Interpretation

An advocacy for a flexible approach to constitutional interpretation that adapts to societal needs while respecting democratic values.

Marbury v. Madison

The landmark 1803 Supreme Court case establishing the principle of judicial review, enabling courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Plessy v. Ferguson

The 1896 Supreme Court decision that upheld racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Brown v. Board of Education

The 1954 Supreme Court decision overturning Plessy v. Ferguson, declaring that public school segregation is inherently unequal.

Korematsu v. United States

The 1944 Supreme Court case that upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II based on national security.