American Politics

Constructing a Government > U.S. Constitutions

The Paradox of Governing Government: Institutions and processes by which a land and its people are ruled. The balance between Freedom and power at different times in America the government has held Freedom or power at different levels. Trust or distrust the Majority? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants so the fundamental question is do we trust the Majority, the Mob, the peoplewe must not because we do not have a direct democracy. If you distrust the Majority you give the power to the government Tree of liberty ( a living thing that can die if not protected) the blood of patriots and tyrants goes back to the (Revolution) Federalists Power National Government, James Madison, John J, George Washington Anti-federalists- freedom- People, smaller government

Constructing a Government
Declaration of Independence (1776) Thomas Jefferson Unalienable rights Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness Safety net discussion: What is a privilege? And what is a right??

Shays Rebellion
Daniel Shay a poor farmer and a veteran of the Revolutionary War, led a group in opposition to court order taking away land. Catalyst for the constitution Convention Led to a Stronger Government

Negotiating toward a Constitution Freedom Power

Constitution as Practical Politics

Representation Federalism Federalism does not mean Federal Government (National Government) Separation of Powers Legislative (most powerful), Executive, Judicial Judicial reviewis not written in the constitution. Literal vs. Figurative interpretation of the constitution In the Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist debate the Federalists would be Power, while the Anti-Federalists would represent the Freedom aspect States (trusting the majority) Why does Madison distrust Majority? Madison doesnt think they are intellectually (smart) Factions (conflicting special interest groups) would break apart the country to protect the rights of the minority and also the interests of the minority by creating a Republic (How does a republic or a representative democracy protect against majority Factions?) Constitutional Convention

Representation (FREEDOM) and (POWER)

Great/ Connecticut Compromise - First and primary concern was the Legislative branch and how we determine representation, Virginia Plan Population based on representation, New Jersey representation plan was equal...technically over or under representation the solution was Bicameral system, broke the Legislative branch into two parts House of Representation - 435 members (based on population census counts every 10 years) while the Senate has 2 members for each state ( based solely on States membership in the US) The Institutions matter in the game of Politics , if you are disadvantage by the institutions you will not will, play within the framework given, abide by the rules, and change the institutions (rules) if need be to change the balance of power or give yourself the advantage (POLITICS) Three-Fifths Compromise - in order to get more representation Slave states (primarily farming, southern states, lower population) wanted to count slaves the compromise was given because the

Non-Slave states ( Industrialized, Northern States, Higher population) wanted to preserve the UNITED STATES

Legislative Supremacy Bicameralism Length of Terms: House (2) ; Senate (6) Direct vs. Indirect Election (#17) The House Shifts quickly (Freedom Side) .Example: Nancy Pelosi to John Boehner The Senate has Staggered Terms which means a 1/3 is up every 2 years with the house therefore the Senate is designed to be insulated from the majority (on the power side). The US Senate was so insulated that it didnt allow the use of direct democracy (voting them in or out) The Presidency is also not a direct Democracy (Electoral College) Bill of Rights (win for FREEDOM and Anti-Federalists) They are" Individual protections from the Government" These amendments were not part of the Constitution so they were added to appease the Anti-Federalists as well as giving the states the right to make up rules separate of the National (Federal ) Government this shared power between States and Separate Institutions sharing power and working together (along with separate teams Democrats vs. Republicans) Electoral College (Bush vs. Gore) Senate (long terms) Judiciary (life Term) - not elected officials

Limits on National Government (FREEDOM)

Limits on Mass Participation (POWER)

Ratification: Politically Contested (COMPROMISE)

Needed 9/13 states for ratification Why Virginia? New York? Federalist Papers: Fall 1787-spring 1788 85 Articles or Editorials (They are Political Propaganda) Written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison