Purpose and Functions
What is a leviathan?
Maintains order (laws and enforcement).
What type of government do we operate in?
Representative democracy.
Where does "Consent of the governed come from?"
Thomas HOBBES (1651), expectations and responsibilities government has to citizens. (Leviathan).
State of Nature~ war against all, life=brute and short. (Realist)
What article established the Judicial branch and what are some facts talked about in discussion?
Article 3 of the constitution.
It's super short, good behavior=tenure, no judicial review, no limit to how many justices, etc
Tell me about the Bill of Rights
Establish and protect civil liberties (first 10 amendments)
Originally neglected to include provisions in the draft of the constitution
State constitutions generally include such provisions
Protection of liberties the duty of the states
Roadblock to ratification, SO BILL OF RIGHTS WAS PROMISED
Name the 4 different types of policy.
Public, Domestic, Economic, Foreign.
The definition of political ideology
Set of shared beliefs that form the basis for what you think the government should do and how they should do it.
Where does the concept of "separation of power" come from?
John LOCKE (1690), consent of governed, but no need to concentrate power in one ruler. Absolute power corrupts.
Legislative power & Executive power.
(Montesquieu later (1748) added judicial power.)
What is Judicial Review?
Review by the US Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of a legislative act.
Tell me some enumerated powers.
Article 1 section 8
Tax
Coin money
Borrow on credit of us
Regulated commerce
Declare war and maintain army
Uniform rule of naturalization
Necessary and proper clause
What is the purpose of domestic policy?
Consist of all government laws and regulations that directly affect those living within a country (education, healthcare, transportation, postal, garbage) Decisions made by officials.
Define Conservative
Those who believe national government does too many things that should be left to state governments, individuals and or firms, but that national and state government should uphold traditional social values. (abortion, gay marriage)
What were the 5 key things talked about regarding the Articles of Confederation in the lecture?
Firm legal friendship
Continental Congress granted limited powers
No executive or judicial
Could declare war but not raise an army
Could coin money but not stop states from doing so (makes trade and economics different)
Could negotiate with other countries on tariffs, but so could individual states. (14 different entities negotiating)
Could not tax people directly---voluntary donations from states.
Could not regulate interstate commerce
Supermajority required to take any legislative action (9 of 13), changes to articles required (13 of 13).
Which of these justices does not belong...
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Sonya Sotomayor
Samuel Alito
Newt Gingrich
Brett Kavanaugh
Newt Gingrich
What powers are denied to states?
No treaties
Cannot coin money
No taxes on imports or exports
Purpose of Public Policy?
Intentional action by gov to create laws regulations codes and programs that govern political and social life.
Define Liberal
Those who believe that the national government should do more to solve the nation’s problems but reject the notion that national or state government should favor a particular set of social values.
What events arose that really drove home the problems in the Articles of Confederation?
Shay's Rebellion and threats from abroad.
What are some systems of Checks and Balances?
Veto and veto override
Judicial and executive appointments
Legislative oversight
Impeachment
Judicial review
The constitution can be vague and this can lead to conflicts, what are the 4 clauses talked about in lecture that helps explain why there are conflicts between state and national.
Necessary and proper///elastic clause …...allows for broad authority.
Commerce Clause …...regulation at the fed level
Spending Clause …..nat gov can collect taxes then spend it for common good. Redistribution to states...but states have to apply for federal grants.
Supremacy Clause ….constitution = supreme law of land!!! SC by virtue of this clause ruled that fed gov over state….can cause a contradiction. (the devils' lettuce)
What has transpired out of the differing views of how domestic policy should be brought about.
Political ideology/ social issues
What are the 2 main things to note about political ideology?
Our political ideology influences our positions on policy issues, and by extension, who we vote for.
Who wins, in large measure, determines what and hor policies will be pursued.
What was the structure of the Colonial Legislature?
Colonial assembly- lower chambers, elected by male property owners
Colonial Council- upper chamber, recommended by the governor appointed by the crown.
What are the steps for impeachment?
Representative votes on articles of impeachment
Evidence to go on trial….trial in Senate...chief justice acts as trial judge….HoR acts as prosecution….president has own attorney, acts as the defense...requires a supermajority to vote on impeachment. 60 vote threshold.
HoR impeaches….Senate tries the president
Name and Describe the 3 different types of grants.
Categorical Grants: Federal grants to a state and or local government. They are awarded for a very narrowly defined purpose and impose programmatic restrictions on the use of funds. (Education policy= Head Start program...early childhood education program funded by fed and spent by states. States have to report they are in compliance with standards) (No child left behind or Common Core….must meet certain standards or money gets withheld) (leans towards Dems)
Block Grants: Intergovernmental grants with a broad set of objectives. (money funding for education in general…..perhaps better technology...or more books….teacher salaries.) The state has leeway...however they see fit. (leans towards reps)
General Revenue Sharing: Doesn’t exist anymore (1960-1987,,, sunset clause...never sat down to renew...but congress could do it again) When gov has extra revenue it shares it with states to use however they want (infrastructure, law enforcement, education)