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Constitutional Underpinnings. Journal #1. Distinguishing between power and authority is, fundamentally, reflective of one’s political beliefs. In what kinds of institutions do you have confidence? Why do you trust them? In contrast, what kinds of institutions raise your suspicions? Why?.
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Journal #1 • Distinguishing between power and authority is, fundamentally, reflective of one’s political beliefs. In what kinds of institutions do you have confidence? Why do you trust them? In contrast, what kinds of institutions raise your suspicions? Why?
# 1. What is political power? • Power as it is used to affect who will hold government office & how government will behave • Authority: the right to use power • Legitimacy
#2. What is democracy? • Describes three different political systems • 1. Democratic centralism • 2. Aristotelian (direct or participatory) • 3. Representative democracy
#3. Direct v. Representative Democracy • Direct: impractical, ”mobocracy” , • Representative: favored by the framers, Constitution does not contain word “democracy”
#4. How is power distributed in a democracy? • A. Majoritarian politics • Leaders follow the wishes of the people • B. Elitism • gov’t is controlled by the dominant class • Power elite – key corporate leaders, military leaders, & political leaders • Bureaucrats (nonelected gov’t workers) • Pluralist: no single elite has a monopoly on power
5. Describe the events leading to the demise of the Articles of Confederation
Could not levy taxes or regulate commerce • little money coined by Congress • Disputes between states
No National judicial system • Congress did have the power to maintain an army & navy, yet lacked resources
6. Examine the philosophies, backgrounds, and experiences of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention
Framers - Young (exception Franklin) vast amount of political, educational, legal & business experience
Motives debated over the years. • Key players Hamilton & Madison • Missing- Jefferson, Adams & Henry
7. Key Principles – Pushed by Madison • Federalism • Separation of Powers • Checks & Balances • Limits on the Majority- only the House elected by the people
Critics views • Reducing the Separation of Powers • Making the system less Democratic
8. Describe the ratification procedures and arguments for and against ratification of the Constitution
The Constitution had to be approved by 9 states not 13 • Proponents – Federalists (nationalists) • Opponents – Antifederalists (states’ righters)
9. What were the liberties guaranteed in the Constitution? • Writ of habeas corpus may not be suspended • No bill of attainder may be passed • No ex post facto may be passed • Right of trial by jury • Citizens of each state are entitled to the privileges and immunities of the citizens of every other state • No religious test for holding federal office
Government • Make and enforce public policies • Consists of lawmakers, administrators and judges
Public Policy • Is a choice that gov’t makes in response to some issue on its agenda
Types of Public Policy • Congressional statute (laws) • Presidential action • Court decision • Regulation
Forms of Government • Monarchy/Dictatorship/Oligarchy • Republic • Theocracy
HOW IS POWER DISTRIBUTED? • Unitary • Federal • Confederation
Figure 3.1: Lines of Power in Three Systems of Government (cont’d)
Figure 3.1: Lines of Power in Three Systems of Government (cont’d)
Relationship between Leg. & Executive • Presidential • Parliamentary
Gov’t by force / By the People • Dictatorship • Democracy • participatory • Representative
Journal # 2, 2/5/10 • Which form of government, presidential or parliamentary is best to respond to the needs of the citizens? Why?
American Political Culture • Political culture – is the distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out. • Political culture should not be confused with Political ideology
Basic views - political • Liberty (Freedoms) • Equality • Democracy • Civic duty • Individual responsibility
Economic assumptions • Liberty – free-enterprise • “equality of opportunity” • Individualism
Cultural Conflict • Areas of disagreement include- abortion, gay rights, drug use, school prayer, and pornography • Two basic views • Orthodox – morality more important than self-expression • Progressive- personal freedom more important than traditional moral rules
Figure 4.1: Trust in the Federal Government, 1958-2001 • Source: University of Michigan, The National Election Studies, (September 1999), table 5A.1, updated by Los Angeles Times, poll taken November 10-13, 2001.
Political Efficacy- The capacity to understand and influence political events
Figure 4.2: Changes in the Sense of Political Efficacy • Source: University of Michigan, The National Election Studies, 1952-2000
Table 4.3: Commitment to Income Equity in Sweden and the United States
Figure 4.4a: Views of Toleration and Morality • Source: The American Enterprise (January/February 1999): 37, reporting data from Roper, Washington Post, Harvard, and Kaiser Family Foundation polls.
Figure 4.4b: Views of Toleration and Morality (cont’d) • Source: The American Enterprise (January/February 1999): 37, reporting data from Roper, Washington Post, Harvard, and Kaiser Family Foundation polls.
Figure 4.5: Changes in Levels of Political Tolerance, 1930-1999 • Source: Gallup poll data, various years, as compiled by Professor John Zaller, Department of Political Science, UCLA; The Gallup Organization, Poll Releases (March 29, 1999), 2-6.
