Untitled Flashcards Set

Foundations of American Democracy

Ideals of Democracy

• Natural Rights: Rights inherent to all individuals, including life, liberty, and property (Locke); government exists to protect these.

• Social Contract: Government derives power from the consent of the governed.

• Popular Sovereignty: The principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

• Limited Government: Government power is restricted by law, usually through a constitution.

• Republicanism:  A system where people elect representatives to make decisions.

Limited Government is Supported By:

• Separation of Powers: The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

• Checks and Balances: A system that ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with the means to check the others.

• Federalism: Power is divided between national and state governments.

• Republicanism

Types of Representative Democracies

• Participatory: A model of democracy in which citizens have the power to decide directly on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions.

• Pluralist: Political system where multiple groups compete to influence policy and administration. (Multiple interest groups influence policy.)

• Pure: Theoretical portrayal of democracy with direct participation by all citizens.

• Elitist: A model where a small number of elites hold a disproportionate amount of power.

Contemporary Examples of Different Democracies:

1.2 Federalist 10 (James Madison)

• Federalist Ideology: Belief in a strong central government and the protection of minority rights.

• Factions: Groups of individuals, such as interest groups or political parties, that share similar interests and seek to influence government policy.

• Large Republic Argument: The idea that a large republic can better guard against the dangers of factionalism by diluting their power.

• Republicanism: Reiterates the philosophy of a government based on the consent of the governed, through elected representatives.

• Elected Representatives / Filter: Mechanism through which the populace elects individuals to represent their interests.

Brutus 1

• Anti-Federalist Ideology: Advocated for states' rights and a more decentralized form of government.

• Anti-Federalist Concerns: Fears regarding a powerful central government that could infringe on individual liberties.

• State Power: Emphasis on the importance and sovereignty of individual states.

• Small Republic Argument: Belief that a smaller republic is more conducive to representative democracy. (personal freedoms)

1.3 Articles of Confederation

• Lack of centralized military authority

• No executive/judicial branch

• No national court system

• No power to regulate interstate commerce

• No ability to coin money

• No taxing authority/No national currency or taxing authority.

• Importance of Shays' Rebellion: Highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger central government.

1.4 Ratification of the US Constitution

Compromises:

• Great (Connecticut) Compromise: An agreement for a bicameral legislature that formed the basis of Congress.

• Bicameralism: The practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers.

• Electoral College: The body that elects the President of the United States.

• ⅗ Compromise: Agreement that counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for taxation and representation.

• Importation of Slaves Ban: Prohibition of the slave trade after a certain date, a compromise regarding slavery.

• Adding a Bill of Rights: Included to address Anti-Federalist concerns and to ensure the protection of individual liberties.

• Amendment Process: The method by which changes can be made to the Constitution.

1.5 Principles of American Government

• Separation of Powers: Dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial.

• Federalist 51: Argues for checks and balances within the government and the need for each branch to be independent.

• “Double Security”: The idea that the division of power between state and national governments provides additional protection against tyranny.

• Federalism: A political system where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

• Checks and Balances: Each branch of government has some measure of influence over the other branches and may choose to block procedures of the other branches.

• Importance of checks and balances: Ensures that power is not concentrated in one branch, thereby holding public officials accountable for abuses of power.

• Judicial Review: The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution.

1.6 Federalist No. 51

Federalism

• Exclusive Powers: Powers reserved exclusively for one level of government (e.g. federal, state, (e.g., foreign policy, military)).

• Concurrent Powers: Powers shared by both federal and state governments. (taxation)

• Reserved Powers (10th Amendment): Powers not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved for the states.

Types of Federalism:

• Layer Cake/Dual Federalism: Each layer of government is separate from each other and has its own powers.

• Marble Cake/Cooperative Federalism: All levels of government interact cooperatively and collectively to solve common problems.

• Block Grants: Grants from the federal government that local authorities can allocate to a wide range of services. (Broad-purpose)

• Categorical Grant: Federal funds provided for a specific purpose and subject to strict regulations.

• Unfunded Mandate: When the federal government requires states to perform certain actions without providing the funding required for those actions.

1.7 Constitutional Interpretations of Federalism

• Due Process/Equal Protection Clause: Constitutional provisions that guarantee individuals fair treatment through the normal judicial system and equal protection under the law.

• Commerce Clause (US v. Lopez): Gives Congress the power to regulate trade among the states.

• Necessary and Proper Clause: Grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its duties.

• Enumerated Powers: Powers specifically listed in the Constitution as belonging to the federal government.

• Implied Powers: Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are inferred from the enumerated powers.

• Supremacy Clause: Establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

1.8

• McCulloch v. Maryland - Necessary and Proper Clause: Implied powers exist. Supremacy Clause: National laws overrule state laws

Commerce Clause: Congress can regulate commerce (limited in US v. Lopez).

Federalism in Action

Federalism allows people to influence policy at local, state, and national levels.