Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Major barrier Some individuals refuse to take their responsibilities to pay close
attention to politics
Information is both more widely available and less trustworthy than ever
before, faulty perceptions are becoming more prevalent.
Two decades ago, knowledge gap was defined largely by the amount of
attention people paid to the news
American beliefs are the foundation of their national identity. Not kinship.
Core Values:
The individual is paramount, government is secondary.
LIBERTY
The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they
choose, provided that they are not infringe unreasonably on the
freedom and well-being of others.
INDIVIDUALISM
A commitment to personal initiative and self-sufficiency.
EQUALITY
The notion that all individuals are equal in their worth and thereby
entitled to equal treatment under the law.
No aristocratic system
SELF GOVERNMENT.
People are the ultimate source of governing authority and should have
a voice in governing
America held the most elections; has the most publicly elected officials
Primary elections
Today: AA children are twice as likely to live in poverty and die in infancy
Politics is the means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the
resulting benefits and cost.
The economy hasnt recovered after a year, people started to think that the
bill was a mistake. The republicans took control of house of rep.
Pluralism holds that on most issues, the preference of the government largely
determines what government does
Many societys costs and benefits are allocated through the private sector
Corporate power operates in part through the influence that firms have with
policy makers.
Limited government requires that majority rule stop at the point where it
infringes on the legitimate rights and interest of the minority, thus it conflicts
with a representative government.
BEFORE THE CONSTITUTION
After the French and Indian War, Britain levied heavy taxes on the colonies to
reduce its debt.
Townshend Act(paper, glass, tea lead) only tea Boston Tea Party
First Constitutional Congress in Philly demand for their own council for the
imposition of taxes, an end to Britains military occupation, and a guarantee of
trial by local juries. King George III: NO! American Revolution
The Declaration of Independence
First government was based not on the Constitution but on the Articles of
Confederation.
States had remained its full sovereignty, freedom, and independence and are
governed separately.
Farmers were given assurance during the Revolution War that their land
would not be confiscated for unpaid debt and they will be paid for their
military services during the Revolution War. > U NO PAY ME+ heavy taxes
Annapolis convention- only five states sent delegates thus no change made
James and Alex convinced the delegates to adopt a resolution calling for a
convention to revisit the Articles of Confederation
BEFORE THE CONSTITUTION
Instead of revisiting the AOC, they drafted a plan for a new form of government
Virginia Plan (Large State plan)- separate judicial and executive branches +a two
chamber congress with supreme authority over defense and interstate trade.
LARGER STATES HAVE MORE REPS
The New Jersey Plan (Small State plan)- a stronger government that has the
power to tax, and to regulate commerce. Single Chamber- each state a vote
The Great compromise- bicameral congress (House of Representativesapportioned on the basis of population/ Senate- each state two Senators
The Three-Fifths Compromise: Issue of Slavery and Trade
Southern delegates were worried that Norther delegates will tax or bar the
importation of slaves. They were determined to block any effort to end slavery
through a new Constitution.
Northern States, with a numerical majority, might enact tax policies injurious to
the South. Ex:
Compromise:
The Three-Five compromise- count slaves as 3/5 a person for taxing and rep
A Strategy for Ratification
9/13 agree
The Ratification Debate
Federalists- the government of the constitution has the power to forge a secure
and prosperous union and would not endanger self governance nor personal
freedom because of the restriction.
The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose,
provided that they are not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and wellbeing of others.
Separation of power
Judicial review
Mechanism
Grants of Power
Purpose
Power granted to the national government; accordingly,
powers not granted it are denied it unless they are necessary
Separated
Institutions
Federalism
Denials of Power
Primary elections