Political Science

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Democracy

rule of many where citizens have a direct or representative voice in government.

Representative Democracy

Elected officials represent a group of citizens, making decisions on their behalf in government.

Direct Democracy

Citizens directly participate in decision-making and law creation without intermediaries.

Majoritarian Politics

Everyone Benefits, Everyone Pays (i.e., social security)

Entrepreneurial Politics

Everyone Benefits, Few Pay (I.e., Environmental Protection Regulations)

Client Politics

Few Benefit, Everyone Pays (i.e., Industry Specific Subsidies)

Interest Group Politics

Few Benefit, Few Pay (i.e., Union or Lobbying)

Legislative Branch

Lawmakers - Congress, House of Representatives, Senate

Judicial Branch

Law Evaluators - Supreme and Federal Courts

Executive Branch

Law Enforcers - President, Vice President, Cabinet

Congress

House of Representatives, Senate (Vice President is Tie Breaker, but not Explicitly apart of congress)

Senate

100 seats, Equal Vote, Upper House, Chamber of Bicameral Congress

House of Representatives

435 members, Represents population, Lower House, Chamber of Bicameral Congress

Supreme Court

9 Justices, Judicial Branch

Articles of Confederation

America’s first Government, 13 Articles, Created 1777 Ratified 1781

Article 1 AOC

U.S. are the USA

Article 2 AOC

All states retain power and freedom outside what is listed in confederation

Article 3 AOC

States must be cordial and protect one another from threats

Article 4 AOC

Those who move freely from state to state are entitled to those freedoms, criminals are expelled and tried in their state of origin.

Article 5 AOC

Creates Congress of Confederation, Each state is allowed one vote in congress with 2-7 delegates.

Article 6 AOC

States must have own militia and may only engage in limited foreign affair (i.e., relations)

Article 7 AOC

States may appoint a colonel for defense

Article 8 AOC

Discretion of the state for tax and income to provide for own benefit

Article 9 AOC

Only Central government may declare peace agreements, trade, war, and representing ambassadors.

Article 10 AOC

A Committee of States is authorized to work on behalf of the congress of confederation only when the latter cannot perform.

Article 11 AOC

Canada may reap the benefits of the union

Article 12 AOC

As a united nation, prior wartime expenses for sovereignty must be paid.

Article 13 AOC

Articles can only be modified if all states agree through congress of confederation.

AOC’s Failure

Called for Consitutional Convention May 1787 - Sept 1787

Central Gov Weak

Shay’s Rebellion (massachussetts)

Regulations Not Enforced

Impossible to Amend

States Allowed Foreign Policy

9 out of 13 states needed for Laws

Federalist

The central government should have more power over the states

• Ben franklin

• George Washington

• Alexander Hamilton

• Federalist Papers

Urban Areas (typically democratic)

Anti-federalists

States should have power and strong individuality

• John Hancock

• Patrick Henry

• Samuel Adams

Rural Areas (typically republican)

Constiution

Supreme law of the land

Article 1 Const

Creates the two parts of Congress. They are responsible for making laws.

A1 Sect 1

 Creates Congress and the two houses of Congress: the Senate and House of Representatives.

A1 Sect 2

A. Defines the House of Representatives, known as the lower house of Congress.

B. Must be 25 years old, and serve a term of two years. Must have been a citizen for 7 years.

C. Each state gets Representatives based on the state’s population.

D. Has a leader called the Speaker of the House.

A1 Sect 3

A. Defines the Senate, knows as the upper house of the Congress.

B. Must be 30 years old, and serve a term of six years. Must have been a citizen for 9 years.

C. Each state gets two Senators.

D. Vice-President breaks tie votes

A1 Sect 4

A. Says that each state may establish its own methods for electing their members of Congress.

B. Requires that Congress must meet at least once per year.

A1 Sect 5

A. Says that Congress must have a minimum number of members present in order to meet. B. Fines may be charged for members who do not show up, and members may be expelled. C. Each house must keep a journal to record actions and votes.

D. Neither house can adjourn without the permission of the other.

A1 Sect 6

A. Establishes that members of Congress will be paid.

B. They cannot be delayed while traveling to and from Congress.

C. They cannot hold any other office in the government while in the Congress.

A1 Sect 7

A. Explains how bills become law.

B. All bills must pass both houses of Congress in the exact same form. That is, the House and the Senate must agree to the same wording on a bill before it is sent to the President.

C. Bills that pass both houses are sent to the President.

D. He can either sign the bill, in which case it becomes law, or he can veto it (Veto means that it is not signed to become a law).

E. If he vetoes a bill, it is sent back to Congress, and if both houses pass it by a two-thirds majority, the bill becomes law despite the President's veto.

A1 Sect 8 

A. Gives Congress the power to establish and maintain an army and navy.

B. Gives Congress the power to establish post offices, to create courts, to regulate commerce (business) between the states, to declare war, and to raise money (through taxes).

A1 Sect 9

A. Cannot be held in jail without a reason of some kind.

B. Cannot pass laws that make things illegal starting yesterday or last week, etc.

C. No law can give preference to one state over another

D. Congress cannot spend money without permission.

A1 Sect 10

A. States can’t make their own money, declare war, or tax goods from other states.

Article 2 Const

Creates the job of President, called the Executive. Responsible for enforcing the laws.

A2 Sect 1

A. Establishes the office of the President and the Vice-President.

B. Both serve four year terms.

C. Presidents are elected by the Electoral College.

D. Must be 35 years old. Must be born in the USA.

E. Their pay cannot change, up or down, as long as he is in office.

A2 Sect 2

A. The President leads the armed forces.

B. He has a Cabinet (a group of advisors) to help him. The President can pardon (set free) criminals.

C. He can make treaties (agreements) with other nations, but 2/3 of the Senate has to approve of the treaty.

D. Chooses many of the judges and other members of the government.

A2 Sect 3

A. President must give a yearly speech to the nation.

B. Give suggestions to Congress.

C. Meet with Ambassadors and other heads of state from other nations.

D. Ensure the laws of the United States are carried out.

A2 Sect 4

A. Explains how to kick the president out of office, called impeachment.

Article 3 Const

Establishes Judges, called the Judiciary. They decide if a law is allowable, or if it goes against the Constitution.

A3 Sect 1

A. Establishes the Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States.

B. Judges are chosen serve for life, or until they want to retire.

A3 Sect 2

A. Says what cases the Supreme Court must decide.

B. It also guarantees trial by jury in criminal court.

A3 Sect 3 

A. Defines, without any question, the crime of treason (trying to overthrow your country's government or of helping your country's enemies during war).

Article 4 Const

State Rights

A4 Sect 1

All states will honor the laws of all other states

A4 Sect 2

A. Citizens of one state are treated equally and fairly like all citizens of another.

B. If a person accused of a crime in one state flees to another, he/she will be returned to the state that person fled from.

A4 Sect 3

A. How new states can become part of the United States.

B. Explains who controls federal lands.

A4 Sect 4

A. Ensures a “Power by the People” government.

B. Guarantees that the federal government will protect the states against.

Article 5 Const

How to Amend Const

A. 2/3 of the Representatives must vote on the change.

B. 2/3 of the Senators must vote on the change.

C. 3/4 of the States must vote for the change (34 of 50)

Article 6 Const

The U.S.

A. Guarantees that the Constitution and all laws and treaties of the United States to be the supreme law of the country.

B. Requires all officers of the United States and of the states to pledge loyalty to the United States and the Constitution when taking office.

Article 7 Const

Explained How Const was Agreed To

A. Of the original 13 states in the United States, nine had to accept the Constitution before it would officially go into effect.