Aristotle, Locke, and Federalism: Political Regimes and Government Structures

What are Aristotle's three correct regimes?

Kingship, aristocracy, and polity.

What are Aristotle's three deviant regimes?

Tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy.

How does Aristotle categorize regimes?

By how many people rule and whether they rule for the common good or their own benefit.

What does Aristotle say about justice and equality?

Equals should be treated equally, while unequals may properly be treated unequally according to relevant differences.

What is the purpose of the city according to Aristotle?

To enable people to live well.

What is the end of political society according to Locke?

The preservation of property.

What natural rights do people have according to Locke?

Life, liberty, and property.

What major American document was influenced by Locke?

The Declaration of Independence.

What political problem do Aristotle, Locke, and Madison all address?

How to create legitimate government while preventing abuses of political power.

What government does the Declaration of Independence establish?

None; it declares independence from Britain.

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776.

When was the Declaration of Independence primarily signed?

August 2, 1776.

What form of government did the Articles of Confederation create?

A confederation.

What did the government under the Articles of Confederation look like?

A weak national government with a unicameral Congress, no separate executive, and no national judiciary.

How many votes did each state have under the Articles of Confederation?

One vote.

How many states had to agree to amend the Articles of Confederation?

All 13 states.

What was a major cause of the vices of the political system according to Madison?

The weakness of the national government and excessive state power.

What were some problems Madison identified?

Unjust state laws, interstate conflicts, economic restrictions, instability, and violations of individual rights.

What did the Virginia Plan propose for the legislature?

A bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

What kind of government did the Virginia Plan propose?

A stronger national government.

What did the New Jersey Plan propose?

A unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

How many votes would each state get under the New Jersey Plan?

One vote.

What did the Great Compromise create?

A House based on population and a Senate with equal representation.

What year was the Constitutional Convention?

1787.

Who was president of the Constitutional Convention?

George Washington.

What kind of government did the Framers create?

A federal republic.

What thinker is most associated with separation of powers?

Montesquieu.

How many states were needed to ratify the Constitution?

9 of 13 states.

Who were the main authors of the Federalist Papers?

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

What name did the Federalist authors write under?

Publius.

What is Madison's solution to majority factions in Federalist 10?

A large republic with many competing factions.

What makes checks and balances work?

Each branch has enough power and independence to check the others.

Complete: "Ambition must be..."

"Made to counteract ambition."

What is the most dominant branch in a republic according to Madison?

The legislative branch.

What is an example of checks and balances?

The president can veto legislation passed by Congress.

What does Federalist 39 say America is?

Both national and federal.

What is sovereignty?

Supreme authority to govern.

What are police powers?

State powers to protect health, safety, welfare, and morals.

What are enumerated powers?

Powers specifically listed and granted to the federal government.

Where are most enumerated powers found?

Article I, Section 8.

Where is the Commerce Clause?

Article I, Section 8, Clause 3.

Where is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

Article I, Section 8, Clause 18.

What does the Necessary and Proper Clause provide?

The basis for implied powers.

What does the 10th Amendment do?

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

What is dual federalism?

Federal and state governments have separate areas of authority.

What is cooperative federalism?

Federal and state governments share responsibilities and work together.

What happened to much New Deal legislation in pre-1937 Supreme Court cases?

The Court struck down or restricted some New Deal laws.

When did national government authority significantly expand?

The 1930s.

What year was the "switch in time"?

1937.

What is Article IV mainly about?

Relationships among the states and between the states and federal government.

How did the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Commerce Clause change?

It became broader, allowing Congress to regulate more activities connected to interstate commerce.

What case greatly expanded Congress's Commerce Clause power?

Wickard v. Filburn (1942).

What was the central holding of McCulloch v. Maryland?

Congress could create a national bank, and Maryland could not tax it.

Who ratified the Constitution according to the Court in McCulloch?

The people.

Why could the U.S. create a national bank?

The Necessary and Proper Clause gives Congress implied powers needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Where is the Supremacy Clause?

Article VI, Clause 2.

Where are reserved/state powers found?

The 10th Amendment.

Name one enumerated power besides regulating commerce or the Necessary and Proper Clause.

The power to tax.

Name a second enumerated power besides regulating commerce or the Necessary and Proper Clause.

The power to declare war.

Name a third enumerated power besides regulating commerce or the Necessary and Proper Clause.

The power to coin money.