First Semester

3 Methods of Gov

1. Who can participate
2. Geographic distribution og gov power
3. Relationship between the leg and ex powers

Presidental

(USA) Executive chosen by the people but ind. from legeslative
- Co-equal separate branches
Strength: Checks and Balances
Weak: Too much gridlock

Parliamentary

(GB) People elect a mem of parliment to rep their part of country. Most seats = majority. Majority picks prime minister from peers (executive). Same branch. 5 years.
- Vote of Confidence: major no longer passes PM bills (remove)
- Strength: less Gridlock
- Weak: less checks and balances

Worth of the Individual

Each person is distinct and has dignity and worth
- Forced to do things for best interest in society

Equality of All Persons

We are not born with equal conditions
- Should not be held to things out of control
- Equality of Opp and Equality Before the Law

Majority Rule, Minority Rights

What the most people want guides public policy decisions (voting)
- Trust majority but can be wrong
- No rights taken

Necessity of Compromise

Unique inds. who are equal to each other have unique ideas
- Many possible solutions

Insistence Upon Individual Freedom

Not absolute freedom: contains balancing act between people's freedoms

Social Contract Theory

"survival of fittest" - Hobbes (stemed from Enlightenment)
Freedom for all = no real safety ---> Freedom given up to protect Well-Being
- People are source of power

Federalism

division of power between national and state/local gov on a territorial basis

Judicial Review

The authority of the Supreme Court to strike down a law or executive if it conflicts with the constitution
- Est. Marbury v Madison

7 Articles

1. Legislative Branch
2. Executive Branch
3. Judicial Branch
4. Relations among states
5. Amending the Constitution
6. National Debts, supremacy of national law, oaths of office
7. Ratifying the Constitution

Amendment Process- proposal

1. 2/3 vote by both Chambers (Senate + House) of Nat Gov
   (most common- people already in office)

2. 2/3 of state leg request to congress for Nat Convention (indiv. elected)

Amendment Process- Ratification

1. 3/4 State Leg (senator + rep) - happen to be in position

2. 3/4 state conventions - elected

Supremacy Clause

Article 6 (section 2) Const is the Supreme Law of the Land
- Some states believe is a "loose agreement"

Full faith and credit clause

each state recognize and enforce the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.
- clause that is applied for only civil matters

House of Representatives

2 year term chosen by congress based on population (435)

• Reps congressional district drawn by state leg

• 25 yrs, citizen 7 yrs, inhabitant of state elected

Gerrymandering

District lines drawn in a way that gives political party and advantage
- Wesberry v. Sander (1964): equal pop
- Gomillion v. Lightfoot (1960): based on race violates 15th

Senate

less swayed and responsible "Necessary Fence" that reps the whole state for 6 yr limit

• 1/3 up for election every 2 years

• 30 yrs, citizen 9 yrs, Inhabitant of state they rep

Leg checks on Exec (6)

1. Creat Law

2. Money Powers- Spending

3. Override Veto

4. Approve Appointments & Treatise

5. Declare War

6. War Powers Resolution 1973

Path of Bill in HOR

1. Submitted to clerk's desk (#d)
2. Speaker of H sends to standing committee
3. Committee + Comm. Options
4. One of 5 calendars
5. Rules committee (needs rule to move on)
6. Floor Debate (1hr speak + "move the previous question")
7. Voting (amendment + bill)
8. Engrossed --> taken to senate

Path of Bill in Senate

1. Pres of senate
3. Goes to committee
3. Committee options
4. Put on 1 calendar
5. Floor debate
6. Vote
7. Conference comm.

Filibuster

Purpose to delay vote to try to force change or failure
- "two-speech rule)

Cloture

Supermajority of 60 (3/5) of senators to agree to end debate and filibuster
- Nuclear = 51 votes

Committee’s Role on Bill

1. Report Favorbly
2. No report (piegonhold)
3. Report bill w/ amend
4. Report unfavorably
5. Report a comm. bill