American Govt. & Civic Engagement
What is politics?
The process that determines what the government does — when and how will different public and private goods be offered?
How much power did the articles of confederation give the federal government?
•The central government established in the Articles of Confederation proved too weak to govern the United States
•Flaws of AoC: Could not finance activities (pay for war), Could not defend American interests abroad
•But, it was used as the acting form of government during Revolutionary War
What are the alternatives to the system of Federalism?
•Unitary
•Confederal
What are Civil Liberties?
Basic political freedoms that protect citizens from governmental abuses of power
What are the different types of Democracy?
Representative Democracy: citizens do not govern directly; decisions are made by elected representatives
Direct Democracy: citizens participate directly in making government decisions
•Ballot initiatives/referendums
•Town meetings (popular in New England)
Under the constitution we have a federal government. What system did we have under the articles of confederation?
Confederal
•Our first attempt at a constitution that gave a lot of power to the states, remembering this was inspired by the colonists' experience with Britain, so this aimed to establish a “limited government”.
What types or versions of federalism have been seen in the United States over time?
•Fiscal Federalism (federal grants to ensure successful cooperation)
•Competitive Federalism (national & state govts competing for authority over certain issues)
•Coercive Federalism (National govt gives state govts the option of “sticks” or “carrots” to cooperate)
Which document establishes and protects our Civil Liberties?
Bill of Rights
What does the “Tragedy of the Commons” refer to?
Individuals act in their own interest --> Overdraw of common good resources --> possible depletion of those common good resources
Which compromise made at the Constitutional Convention attempted to deal with the issue Slave states v. Non-slave states?
The Three-Fifths Compromise
What is horizontal federalism, and what is an example of its use?
Considering the relationships between the states within a federal system
•EX: Full Faith and Credit: States must honor the “public Acts, Records, and judicial proceedings of every other State” (Drivers Liscenses / Marriage Certificates)
•EX: Privileges & Immunities: States cannot treat citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner
What are the two religion clauses and what do they do?
•Establishment Clause: Prohibits govt. sanctioned religion
•Free Exercise Clause: Prohibits govt. from outlawing religion
How does voter turnout vary between Presidential and Midterm elections?
•About 60% of Americans turn out to vote in the Presidential Elections
•About 40% of Americans turn out to vote in the midterm elections
What influential figure is known for talking about “social contract theory” and “inalienable rights?”
John Locke (1632–1704)
• Argued that all individuals are born with God-given, inherent natural rights. Specifically life, liberty, and property, which are inalienable, meaning they can never be taken away or given up. These rights pre-exist government, and the primary purpose of social contract and government is to protect them.
What are the federal governments enumerated or expressed powers?
•Coin money
•Regulate interstate commerce and international trade
•Make treaties and conduct foreign politics
•Declare war
•Provide an army and a navy
•Establish post offices
What are the rights of the accused?
•Right to a fair trial
•Right to consult a lawyer
•Freedom from self-incrimination
•Knowing what you’re accused of
•Right to confront the accuser in court
•Freedom from unreasonable police searches
What are the different types of “Goods”?
•Private Goods: Rivalrous and Excludable
•Common Goods: Rivalrous and Non-Excludable
•Club Goods: Non-rivalrous and Excludable
•Public Goods: Non-rivalrous and Non-Excludable
What's the difference between Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists?
•Federalists argued that a strong central government was required to avoid the mistakes of the Articles of Confederation
•Anti-Federalists feared the central government created by the Constitution was too powerful
Dual Federalism vs. Cooperative Federalism?
Dual "Layer Cake" (Civil War – 1937): National government and state government have exclusive authority in distinct spheres of jurisdiction
•National Govt
•State Govt
•Local Govt
Cooperative "Marble cake" (1937 – ): National, State and Local govt’s overlap/cooperate in specific spheres.
•EX: Picket-Fence Federalism: National, State, and Local levels cooperate with agencies overseeing regulatory responsibilities
What are the limited/regulated expressions and the generally protected expressions under the first amendment of freedom of speech?
Generally Protected speech:
•Seditious speech, Imminent lawless action, commercial speech, Libel/slander, Obscenity
Limited/regulated expression:
•Political speech, Symbolic speech, Hate Speech, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of the press