1 / 14

Exploring Governance: Democracy vs. Republic and the Foundations of American Liberty

Chapter 2A of "The Constitution" by Wilson delves into key questions surrounding governance, comparing democracy and republic ideals. It discusses the balance of power in government, the foundational goals for safeguarding freedoms, and the necessity of independent laws and courts. The text emphasizes protecting natural rights such as life, liberty, and property while acknowledging the role of the Social Contract. It explores historical grievances against the British government, the call for independence, the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, and the necessity of a strong yet limited federal system.

tracy
Télécharger la présentation

Exploring Governance: Democracy vs. Republic and the Foundations of American Liberty

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Constitution Wilson Chapter 2A

  2. Key Questions Who Governs? To What Ends? Difference between democracy and republic Branch with the greatest power Goals the government should serve Freedoms protected

  3. Traditional Liberties • Independent judges • Free from quartering • Free trade • No taxation without representation • Limited government

  4. Colonial Mind • Men are ambitious, greedy, corrupted • Higher law to preserve natural rights • Life • Liberty • Property (pursuit of happiness) • Ideology • Specific violations of the English government

  5. Declaration • Open letter to the world • Explains Social Contract • Blames English government • Asks for independence

  6. Revolution • Legitimate authority • Secure liberties • Consent of the governed • Written constitution • Superior legislative, accountable to the people

  7. Articles • Loose union of independent states • Named “The United States of America” • Single legislature of very limited power • Addition of the Northwest Territories • Northwest Ordinance • Rules for admitting new states • XI - Canada • Abolition of slavery • Mail/trade with countries/indians • Freedom of speech/Rights of accused • Limits: military/titles of nobility • Pay war debts/borrowing money

  8. Failure of Articles • One vote for each state (2-7 delegates) • Dependent on states for tax collection • Powerless to regulate interstate trade • Problems with coining money • Needed state militias • Territorial disputes • States enforced laws • States pick and pay for legislature • No national court system • Amendments required unanimous approval • 9/13 vote required to pass laws • “firm league of friendship”

  9. Constitutional Convention • No accepted political theory • State models • PA – too democratic • MA – too elitist • Madison • Confederacies were too weak to govern • Other governments trampled liberty • Shay’s Rebellion • Veteran rebellion over taxation and foreclosures • Private army, fear of anarchy, debate

  10. Framers • Sent to revise Articles • Concerned about defense of liberty • Feared tyranny of majority • Needed to preserve order • Practical men • Veterans • Confederate Congress • Not the leaders of the Revolution

  11. New Plan Virginia New Jersey Comprehensive Strong national government Direct election Parliamentarian 3 branches Amend not replace Feared under-representation Equality among states State authority

  12. Great Compromise • Connecticut • Settled on new national government • Focus on representation • Divide into 2 houses • House directly elected based on population • Senate indirectly elected equal among states • Electoral College

  13. Constitution Outline • Preamble • Articles • I – Legislative • II – Executive • III – Judicial • IV – Relation Among States • V – Amending Process • VI – National Supremacy • VII – Ratification • Amendments

  14. Readings • Woll pages 40-45 • Limitations of Governmental Power and of Majority rule • Federalist 47, 48, 51

More Related