AP GOV Unit 1

separation of powers

the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making

checks and balances

mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches; major examples include the presidential veto power over congressional legislation, the power of the Senate to approve presidential appointments, and judicial review of congressional enactments

federalism

-a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a central government and regional governments

What is democracy?

"rule by the people"

The citizens vote on laws, policies, and other important actions

Each citizen has the opportunity to be involved and speak their opinion

representative democracy

Also called an indirect democracy

The citizens elect representatives who make up the legislature

These representatives vote and enact laws on behalf of the citizens

Direct Democracy

The citizens do not elect representatives

They vote on laws and policies themselves

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Upheld "separate but equal" racial segregation by the states

Brown v. Board of Education, I (1954)

Brown v. Board of Education, II (1955)

Race-based school segregation violates the equal protection clause

School districts and federal courts must implement the Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education, I (1954) "with all deliberate speed"

describe and explain the structure and function of political institutions

If the society is to be orderly, people must obey the rules that are made. The political institution determines and enforces the laws and punishes those who disobey them.

Decision-making(Executive) and rule-making processes(Legislative)

Describe and explain constitutional principles and processes.

the US government is based on ideas of limited government, including natural rights, popular sovereignty, republicanism, and social contract.

A balance between governmental power and individual rights has been a hallmark of American political development.

federalist #10; brutus #1; the declaration of independence

compare how models of representative democracy are visible in major institution, policies, events, or debates in the U.S.

-Representative democracies can take several forms along this scale.

-Different aspects of the U.S. Constitution as well as the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists in Federalist No. 10 and Brutus No. 1 reflect the tension between the broad participatory model and the more filtered participation of the pluralist and elite models.

-The three models of representative democracy continue to be reflected in contemporary institutions and political behavior.

Participatory democracy

which emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society

Pluralist democracy

which recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making

Elite democracy

where decisions are made by elected representatives acting as trustees

Explain how democratic ideals

are reflected in U.S. foundational documents.

The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Jefferson with help from Adams and Franklin, provides a foundation for popular sovereignty, while the U.S. Constitution drafted at

the Philadelphia Convention and led

by George Washington, with important contributions from Madison, Hamilton, and members of the "Grand Committee," provides the blueprint for a unique

form of political democracy in the U.S.

Compare and interpret Federalist and Anti-Federalist views on central government and democracy as reflected in U.S. foundational documents.

-Madison's arguments in Federalist No. 10 focused on the superiority of a large republic in controlling the "mischiefs of faction," delegating authority

to elected representatives and dispersing power between the states and national government.

-Anti-Federalist writings, including Brutus No. 1, adhered to popular democratic theory that emphasized the benefits of a small decentralized republic while warning of the dangers to personal liberty from a large, centralized government.

Explain the relationship between key provisions of the Articles of Confederation and the debate over granting the federal government greater power formerly reserved to the states.

Specific incidents and legal challenges that highlighted

key weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation are represented by the:

▶ Lack of centralized military power to address Shays' Rebellion

▶ Lack of tax law enforcement power

▶ Requirement of unanimity of all

states to amend the articles

Describe the impact of political negotiation and compromise at the Constitutional Convention on the development of the constitutional system.

Compromises deemed necessary for adoption and ratification of the Constitution are represented by the:

▶ Great (Connecticut) Compromise

▶ Electoral College

▶ Three-Fifths Compromise

▶ Compromise on the

importation of slaves

great compromise

bicameral legislature and 1st chamber (house) based on population 2nd (senate) has equal reps

3/5 compromise

3/5 or 3 out of every 5 slaves were counted for representation

electoral college

-election of POTUS through representatives

-indirect election # of representatives and 2 senators change every decade

commerce and slave trade compromise

no more international slave trade after 1808

Describe the impact of political negotiation and compromise at the Constitutional Convention on the development of the constitutional system.

-Debates about self- government during the drafting of the Constitution necessitated the drafting of an amendment process in Article V that entailed either a two-thirds vote in both houses or a proposal from two-thirds of the state legislatures, with final ratification determined

by three-fourths of the states.

-The compromises necessary to secure ratification of the Constitution left some matters unresolved that continue to generate discussion and debate today.

Explain how the issues raised in the ratification debate continue to be expressed today in ongoing philosophical disagreements about democracy and governmental power.

The debate over the role of the central government, the powers of state governments, and the rights of individuals remains at the heart

of present-day constitutional issues about democracy and governmental power, as represented by:

▶ Debates about government surveillance resulting from the federal government's response to the 9/11 attacks

▶ The debate about the role of the federal government in public school education

Describe the constitutional principles of separation of powers and "checks and balances."

-The powers allocated to Congress, the president, and the courts demonstrate the separation of powers and checks and balances features of the U.S. Constitution.

-Federalist No. 51 explains how constitutional provisions of separation of powers and checks and balances control abuses by majorities

"the structure of the proposed government makes liberty possible"

Explain the implications of separation of powers and "checks and balances" for the U.S. political system.

-Multiple access points for stakeholders and institutions (pluralism) to influence public policy flows from the separation of powers and checks and balances.

-Impeachment, removal, and other legal actions taken against public officials deemed to have abused their power reflect the [purpose of checks and balances.] to prevent corruption and any one person or group from having too much power

Describe how the distribution of powers among three federal branches and between national and state governments impacts policy making.

-National policymaking is constrained by the sharing of power between and among the three branches and the state governments.

-the distribution of powers provides multiple schools of thought and checks and balance, which gives different perspectives on the legislation to best represent the ideals of the American people. But these checks and balances come with a price because it takes longer for bills, laws and policies to be passed.

Describe how the Constitution allocates power between the national and state governments.

The exclusive and concurrent powers of the national and state governments help explain the negotiations over the balance of power between the two levels.

Explain how the appropriate balance of power between national and state governments has been interpreted differently over time.

-The balance of power between the national and state governments has changed over time based on U.S. Supreme Court interpretation of such cases as:McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and United States v. Lopez (1995)

-The interpretation of the 10th and 14th Amendments, the commerce clause, the necessary and proper clause, and other enumerated and implied powers is at the heart of the debate

over the balance of power between the national and state governments.

-Debates about self- government during the drafting of the Constitution necessitated the drafting of an amendment process in Article V that entailed either a two-thirds vote in both houses or a proposal from two-thirds of the state legislatures, with final ratification determined

by three-fourths of the states.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

which declared that Congress has implied powers necessary to implement its enumerated powers and established supremacy of the U.S. Constitution and federal laws over state laws

United States v. Lopez (1995)

which ruled that Congress may not use the commerce clause to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime, introducing

a new phase of federalism that recognized the importance of state sovereignty and local control

The writing and ratification of the Constitution emerged from the debate about weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and was the product of important compromises.

were weak because they did not give enough power to the government so nothing got done and states were more like mini countries in a big alliance

The Constitution creates a complex and competitive policy making process to ensure the people's will is accurately represented and that freedom is preserved

The constitution creates a complex and competitive policy-making process to ensure the people's will is accurately represented and that freedom is preserved

Federalism reflects the dynamic distribution of power between national and state governments

relations between states:

1)full faith and credit 2)no state discrimination or privileges

14th amendment: states must align their laws with the Bill of Rights