Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy

US Government & Politics Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy – Review Guide Principles of U.S. Government Declaration of Independence U.S. Constitution Document outlining and setting up the Document that declared independence from Great Britain’s tyrannical government and outlined reasoned why. republic/representative democracy. Natural rights Rights people are born with. Popular sovereignty People have the power. Social contract The people give the government power for protection of rights. Participatory democracy People vote directly on all decisions. Limited government The central government has limited power. Republicanism People elect representatives to make important decisions. Models of Representative Democracies Pluralist democracy Elite democracy Emphasizes the role of groups in Rich or notable people affect policy policy. greatly. Contemporary examples: Referendums or initiatives. Contemporary examples: PETA Democrats and Republicans Contemporary examples: Representatives Brutus No. 1 Antifederalist, wanted less power to the central government more people voting. Federalist No. 10 Federalist, wanted more power to the central government, certain groups voting for laws. Constitution Representatives, not the people directly, affect policy. State sovereignty vs. Shared sovereignty (or stronger central government?) Federalists Anti-federalists Shared sovereignty State sovereignty Federalist No. 10 Brutus No. 1 Fear: Not enough central power Fear: Too much central power Solution: Shared powers between national and state government Solution: Smaller decentralized government Congress could: Articles of Confederation Congress could NOT: 1. Borrow money 2. Coin money 1. Tax Shays’ Rebellion Farmers attacked courthouse to protest the foreclosure of their farms. 2. Regulate interstate commerce 3. Raise army 4. Declare war and make treaties Negotiation and Compromise at the Constitutional Convention Great compromise Electoral College Amendment process Connecticut Compromise Citizens vote for legislators and To propose 2/3 of both houses have Bicameral legislature the legislators for electors to agree. ¾ of state legislators to Senate- two per state ratify. Representatives- based on population 3/5 compromise 3/5 of the population of slaves counted towards amount of legislators. Importation of slaves Can continue importing slaves for 20 years after ratification if north states would return fugitives. Contemporary debates on role of central government, state governments, and individual rights Government surveillance post 9/11 Role of federal gov in public education Stronger central government Individual rights Bigger role for federal State power More power to central Less individual right Better education overall. Less state power if government. with more security Uniform education. national government regulates education. Federalist No. 51 Each branch of government is framed so that there are checks and balances on each branch. Each branch of government is dependent on the people, who are the source of legitimate authority. Separation of powers Each branch of government has certain powers granted by the Constitution. Checks and balances Each branch of of government has certain powers that enable it to control the other branches. Legislative: Make laws. Power of the purse. Declare war. Examples: Vetos, override veto, declare laws unconstitutional. Executive: Enforce laws. Commander in chief. Grant pardons. Delegated powers Powers given to the federal government by the Constitution. Examples: Coining money Immigration Interstate commerce Judicial: Interpret laws, review decisions of state and federal courts. Federalism Reserved powers Powers not mentioned in the constitution given to the states. Concurrent powers Powers given to both the federal and state government. Examples: Licenses Examples: Taxing Distribution of power between federal and state governments has changed over time Dual federalism Cooperative federalism Powers of state State and National government powers overlap and national government don’t Federal revenue Mandates Categorical grants Block grants overlap sharing Federal government Money given for a Money given without National government telling the state to specific purpose purpose tax partially given to do something w/ or states w/out money 10th Amendment Outlines state’s and federal powers Balance of Power: States vs. Federal Government 14th Amendment Commerce Clause Granted citizenship to all Gave the national government the power to regulate people born or naturalized interstate commerce. in the United States all citizens equal protection of the laws. Supremacy Clause National has supreme power over State laws when in disagreement Necessary & Proper Clause National government has implied powers Enumerated powers Powers mentioned in the constitution Implied powers Powers not stated but indirectly stated Supreme Court cases McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) United States v. Lopez (1995) National government put national bank in Maryland, Gun Free School Zone they tried to tax it. Set limits on the commerce clause Precedent was that the supremacy clause made the national government have their way Required Foundational Documents Declaration of Independence Document that declared independence from Great Britain’s tyrannical government and outlined reasoned why. Articles of Confederation First attempt at US government. States had all of the power, national government had little power. Constitution Document outlining and setting up the republic/representative democracy. Federalist No. 10 Brutus No. 1 Antifederalist, wanted less power to the central government more people voting. Federalist, wanted more power to the central government. Federalist No. 51 Each branch of government is framed so that there are checks and balances on each branch. Each branch of government is dependent on the people, who are the source of legitimate authority.