Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

Direct Democracy (Definition, System, and Risks)

Allows citizens to directly govern and make laws.

Considered a chaotic and inefficient system

Risks: Majority violating rights of minority

Participatory Demoracy

Values broad based public participation in governing.

In theory, it keeps government closest to the people and encourages engagement.

Representative Democracy/Republicanism

A system of government where elected officials represent the interests of the people, making laws and decisions on their behalf.

Allows a smaller and more manageable group to make decisions more quickly.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy where a small group of wealthy and well-educated individuals hold power. This system favors having a small group of the best informed people to govern.

Majoritarian Democracy

A democratic system where the majority's preferences dictate policies and decision-making. It emphasizes the importance of majority rule in governance.

Consensus Democracy

A democratic system that seeks broad agreement among diverse groups, prioritizing cooperation and compromise over majority rule.

*Commonly Criticized because it creates unnecessary delays in decision making

The Decleration of Independence (Date, Declared from who?, Relies on 3 theories, argued that)

July 4, 1776

Declared independence from Britain

Relies on theories of:

A) natural rights

B) Social contract

C) popular sovereignty

Argued that the formal colonies are empowered to make their own goverment because of the abuses suffered under British rule.

Natrual Rights

Fundamental rights for all individuals, including life, liberty, and the property, that governments cannot infringe upon.

“People are ought not to kill us (Life), ought not to interfere with us (Liberty), and ought not to take what is ours (Property).”

*Proposed by John Locke

Popular Sovereignty

People are the highest level of power in society. The power of the government comes from the consent of the people.

Social Contract Theory

States that people should be consent to be governed in exchange for protections and certain public goods.

*Proposed by Thomas Hobbes

The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union ( United States’ First ___, Created by, Date, Gave our country its __

Constitution/Form of Government

Second Continental Congress

November 15, 1777

Gave our country its name, the United States of America

Both the Articles of Confederation and Decleration of Independence relied heavily on John Lockes theory of:

Natural rights.

Confederation

A form of government where smaller government units, in this case— the states, are the sovereign (OR highest level of authority)

The structure of Goverment Under the AOC

The national governments size, power, and role was very limited.

A) 1 Branch of government: Congress

B) Equal Representation from each state in congress

C) All laws must be passed with a super majority

Failures of the AOC:

A) No executive branch

B) No national judiciary

C) No power to tax

D) No power to compel states to obey national laws or contribute to funding

E) No power that was not explicitly stated in the articles

Shays Rebellion ( Uprising in , Protests 3 things, Led by __, Demonstrated __,

Massachusetts

High taxes, abusive debt, and economic conditions

Daniel Shays

The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Virgina Plan ( Proposed by , created a Congress with , both based on __)

James Madison/Larger States

Two houses

Representation

New Jersey Plan (Proposed by, created a Congress with, based on __)

William Paterson/Small States

One house

Equal representation

3/5 Compromise

“Free” Person: Counted as 1 whole person

Slave: Counted as 3/5 of a whole person

Great Compromise (What did it create, HOR is based on, Senate is based on, combined which plans)

Created a bicameral legislature

House of Representatives: Based on population

Senate: Based on equal Representation from each state

*Combines both NJ and VA Plans.

Separation of Powers

*Charles M., A French philosopher, had an idea of government involving 3 separate branches.

Each branch of government is given specific and unique powers that could not be exercised by the other branches. Prevents one branch from getting too much power.

*Executive, Judicial, and Legislative

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

Electoral College

An element of elite democracy, a designated group of individuals vote for the president and vice president of the United States, representing the interests of their states in the election process.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically stated in the constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the constitution, but necessary to exercise the enumerated powers.

Article I/1

Creates the Congress and legislative branch.

House of Representatives (Based on, How many seats, Age requirement, must reside, elected by, has the power of, Bills raising taxes must)

Based on the population of each state.

The more populated a state is = the more Representatives it gets.

There are currently 435 seats in the HOR.

Must be at LEAST 25 years old, a citizen of the US, and reside within the state they represent.

Elected every 2 years by the people of their districts.

Impeachment

All bills raising taxes must be originate in the house.

Speaker of the House

The most powerful person in Congress. The speaker leads the HOR and is selected by its members.

Census (Included in Article __, Requires)

Included in Article 1, Requires a population count at least every 10 years so that representation of each state is proportionate.

435 Members= Each member represents 700,000 people.

Powers of Congress (Enumerated in __,

Regulate Commerce, Immigration, Tax, Create all courts below the supreme court, Declare war, make All laws necessary and proper to execute their unumerated powers)

Article II/2

Created the Executive Branch and Presidency.

The President (Head of , Serves Terms of __, Elected by , Requirments)

Head of Executive Branch

Serves terms of 4 years

Elected by Electoral College

Must Be:

• Natrual Born US Citizen

• Atleast 35 years old

Presidents Powers

Appoint officials to the Executive and judicial branch

*Must be confirmed by Senate

Grant Pardons for federal offenses

The Vice President

Second highest power in executive branch

Article III/3

Establishes Congress and Judicial Branch and their powers.

The 3 different courts, how much there are, and their purpose

1 Supreme Court

13 Courts of Appeals

94 District Courts

Article IV/4

Outlines the relationship between state and federal government.

Full Faith and Credit Clause: Citizens of the United States shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities that of a citizen in all states.

Also describes the process for admitting new states to the union:

• Combining 2 States: Both state legislators must comply

• Each state must agree to a republican form of government

Article V/5

Describes the two methods for amending the constitution:

• Bills passed by 2/3 of each house

• Convention of the states

Article VI/6

Section 2 Defines that Constitution, federal law, and treaties are the “Supreme Law of the land”

Article VII/7

Details the ratification process of the Constitution and asserts that it would take effect upon ratification by nine states.

Federalists

Supporters of the ratification of the constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Opposes of ratification of the constitution.

The Federalist Papers (Authors, Definition)

A series of articles explaining the structure and function under the proposed constitution.

Authored by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison.

In Federalist #10…

James Madison argued that a large republic, like the one proposed by the Constitution, would be better at controlling the destructive effects of factions, or groups of people united by a common interest, passion, or belief. He argued that a large republic would offer more diverse interests and opinions, making it harder for any single faction to dominate and oppress others.

In Federalist #78…

Alexander Hamilton describes the function and structure of the judicial branch. He emphasizes how it does not take away from the rights of the people but enhances them.

Anti-Federalists published a series of Articles under the name __, and argued that

Brutus.

They argued that the proposed new national goverment was too powerful and out of touch with the people. They favored stronger state powers and individual liberties.