Definitions
Equality
Every citizen enjoys the same privileges, status, and rights before the law.
Who holds power in government?
elites, interest groups, social movements, and bureaucrats
What is consent?
We consent to be governed; give up some rights to have others protected
Who has more power under the Articles of Confederation?
The States
What were the biggest problems with the New Jersey and Virginia Plans?
They had problems with fair representation
Federalism
a form of government that divides sovereign power across at least two political units.
What is the paradox of limited government?
People do not want government, but when something happens like a hurricane they look right to the government for help.
What are the rights listed in the DOC?
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
What is the dilemma regarding type of government?
Too much power to the federal government strips the rights of the people, but too little power to the federal government makes them unable to protect peoples rights.
What is the Virginia Plan?
three branch government (Legislative, Executive, Judiciary)
- Bicameral legislature with lower and upper house; lower house elected by people and based off population and upper house chosen by lower house
- Executive Branch has one person selected by legislature
- Judicial Branch appointed by legislature; veto laws
Justice
The concept of fair distributions of benefits and burdens in society.
Who holds authority in government?
Elected officials and some bureaucrats
What are the four parts of the Declaration of Independence?
Part 1: Preamble
Part 2: Political Principles
Part 3: Grievances
Part 4: Declaration
What are the number of articles and amendments of the constitution?
Articles - 7
Amendments - 27
What is the New Jersey Plan?
- three branch government (Legislative, Executive Council, Judiciary)
- Legislative Branch: one state one vote; ability to tax
- Executive branch: multi-person council chose by legislature and removed by majority vote of governors
- Judiciary Branch: appointed by executive council; lifetime appointment
Power vs. Authority
Power = ability to control
Authority = recognized right to make decisions
Name and briefly explain the three power theories in American Government.
Elite Theory - idea that top 1%, media, and celebrities hold the political power in the US.
Pluralist Theory - people can influence government through the many interest groups.
Social Movement Theory - mass popular uprisings have the potential to introduce great change.
What are the four principles of American Government according to the DOC?
1. All men are created equal
2. Certain rights endowed by the creator; life liberty and the pursuit of happiness
3. Too secure these rights, the government needs consent from the governed ultimately giving up a small piece of their rights
4. The right of the people to alter or abolish government.
What do the first three articles control?
I. Congress
II. President
III. Judicial
Sovereignty
The exclusive right of an independent state to reign supreme and base absolute power over a geographic region and its people
Negative liberty vs. Positive liberty
Negative liberty = emphasizes a lack of constraints on individuals, even if those constraints are to help others; people that believe in limited government
Positive liberty = requires the community to help everyone satisfy their basic needs; freedom to pursue one's goals; justifies government giving all people a legitimate chance to achieve
Name and briefly explain the four I's of American Government.
Individuals - ordinary people can influence government and change the world
Ideas - provoke controversies on the values that determine how America is to be governed
Institutions - the organizations, norms, and rules that structure political action
Interests - political action often springs from self-interests
What does each part of the Declaration mean?
Part 1: announces the reasons why they are separating from England; say it is their God given right
Part 2: Identifying a set of principles for all men at all time
Part 3: long list of rights that had been violated by the King
Part 4: Final statement that all 13 colonies are now independent from England; the breakup
What is the Connecticut Compromise?
Compromise between New Jersey and Virginia Plans with three branches of government.
- Legislative Branch is a bicameral legislature with an upper house (Senate) that has 2 representatives per state, and a lower house (House of Reps) that has representatives based on population
- Executive Branch has one person selected by electoral college and removed by impeachment
- Judiciary Branch has one supreme court who are appointed by executive branch
Politics according to Laswell
believed politics is about decision making; politics is concerned with who receives what benefits, rewards and advantages, how much they receive, when they receive them, and the methods they are received.