Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Citizen Participation
Why is participation important? Citizen participation is the heart of a democratic system. What is the evidence to this statement?
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Problems with American Democracy

Despite many successes, American Democracy still has its problems. Can you think of few of what those problems are?

Why do you think they still persist?

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What is Democracy?

Democracy is ..
Citizens hold political authority Rule by the People

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What is a Republic?
This is another term for REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY A form of government in which power derives from the citizens but their representatives make policy and govern according to existing law.
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What is Majority Rule?

Why is it important to know?

Do you think this is the best way to rule? Why?
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Before the Constitution

Foundational Principles from Political Philosophers:

Thomas Hobbes John Locke
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Before the Constitution

Thomas Hobbes - Leviathan
State of Nature Nasty, poor, solitary, brutish, and short How do we legitimize and stabilize

society? o Create a civil society for self preservation Chaptero Stabilize by absolute sovereignty to 1 ensure states existence.

Social Contract Theory

Social contract is a theory that government has only the authority accorded it by the consent of the governed.
First proposed by Thomas Hobbes who

argued that people set up government to protect natural rights.

Illustrated by the Constitutions preamble
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Before the Constitution

John Locke Political Philosopher Life, Liberty, and Property (Natural Rights)
John Locke argued that natural rights are

fundamental and that government cannot take them away. Instrumental with the Declaration of
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcrAe84tLMM&feature=f Independence Chapter 1 10 vwrel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-buzVjYQvY

Articles of Confederation
Why did the Articles fail?
1. National government lacked power to tax. 2. Could not regulate commerce.

3. Amendments had to be unanimous.

4. No provision for independent leadership to

direct governments operations.

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New Jersey Plan

1. Single chamber legislature with power to

regulate commerce and raise revenue 2. Equal representation for each state in legislature 3. Multi-person executive, with no veto power 4. Supreme tribunal with limited jurisdiction 5. National laws supreme
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Virginia Plan
1. Original basis for debate regarding

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need for and design of a strong central government 2. National government would be able to override state laws. 3. Three branches of government 4. Two legislative houses, with one Chapter 1 elected by people and one appointed

Virginia Plan continued

5. Single executive appointed by

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legislature 6. National judiciary with one or more supreme courts; judges appointed for life 7. Executive and judges ability to veto acts of legislature Chapter 1 8. Greater power for national government

The Great Compromise

1. Representation in House based on state

population; House initiates revenue bills 2. Each state to have two senators, selected by state legislatures. Small states have more power in Senate; large states more power in House.
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Compromise on President
1. One executive; chosen by an electoral

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college. A states electors equal total members in Congress 2. President is candidate with most electoral votes; Vice President has second most votes. 3. If no majority, House to choose President and Senate Vice President 4. Procedure changed in 1804 with 12th Chapter 1 Amendment

Final Product
Preamble lists four elements forming the American political tradition:

1.Creation of the people 2.Reasons for the Constitution 3.Outline of goals for the

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government 4.Establishment of the government

Basic Principles
Checks and balancesoverlapping powers to avoid dominance

Republicanismelected

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representatives Federalismdivision of powers between federal and state governments Separation of powers
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Is U.S. a Democracy?
There is not one single type of democracy.

Direct Democracy - Form of democracy in which political power is exercised directly by citizens

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Representative Democracy (a.k.a. Republic) - Form of democracy in which citizens elect public officials to make political decisions and formulate laws on Chapter 1 their behalf