Influences on Government and Democracy
What is a virtuous citizen?
A person who places the common good over their personal interests. Doing the right thing at the right time, for the right reasons. All while also paying attention to current events that affect their national community
Explain the importance of checks and balances
They prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful; Each branch is subject to a number of constitutional checks (restraints) in which it can check the operations and balance the power of the other two branches
What is the difference between Republicanism and Federalism
Republicanism-Belief that Power resides in the people and is exercised through their elected representatives in the government
It stresses liberty and inalienable individual rights as central values; recognizes the sovereignty of the people as the source of all authority in law; rejects monarchy, aristocracy, and hereditary political power
Federalism is the division of power from the central government and regional governments
Remember-Republicanism is about who holds the power, and federalism is about how power is shared and where its located. (pitfall 2)
Define Sovereignty
Government can only govern with the consent of the governed
This document announced that the 13 colonies were now free and independent states, and broke political ties with King George III and Britain
What is the Declaration of Independence
This document included fundamental rights as trial by duty, due process of the law, protection against the wrongful taking of life liberty or property
Magna Carta
What are the powers of government?
Declare war and make peace Treaties, establish army/Navy, print money, establish weights and measures, hear disputes.
What were the differences between Hobbes and Locke's views on the purpose of Government
Locke believes that the government only exists with the consent of the governed to protect the natural rights of people
Hobbes believed that people are naturally selfish so he believed that we need a strong absolute government that way it protects and provides piece.
(Locke's main ideas of how government should work are greatly influenced in today’s society and how government works in almost every aspect through the liberties of our citizens and the opportunities to make change through the people )
Define Federalism
The division of power among a central government and several regional governments
Highlight the first three articles of the constitution
Article I- Legislative branch
Article II- Executive Branch
Article III- Judicial Branch
Explain The petition of right (1628)
It limited the king's power. Said that the king can't imprison someone without a trial by jury, cant declare martial law, rule by the military, nor require people to shelter troops
Explain the role of slavery in the writing of the constitution
Southern states wanted enslaved people counted toward population for representation increased the political power of slaveholding states in Congress and the Electoral College, giving them more influence despite enslaved people having no rights or vote, leading to the 3/5 compromise
Explain the two democracies in forms of government
Direct Democracy
In a direct or pure democracy, the people pass laws by discussing and voting on them in meetings, such as town meetings.
Indirect Democracy
In an indirect or representative democracy, the people elect agents who make and carry out the laws.These representatives rule with the consent of the governed and can be removed by the people at election time
Define Eudaimonia
State of Human flourishing
What type of democracy is the United States?
A constitution-based federal republic; A system of government where power comes from a written constitution, is shared between a national government and smaller regional governments, and is exercised by elected representatives of the people (pitfall 1)
This document, argues that factions are inevitable but can be controlled by a large republic
Federalist 10
Define dual and cooperative federalism
Dual-a constitutional interpretation that gives the federal government exclusive control over some issues and states exclusive control over others. Known as “layer cake”
Cooperative- supportive relations between the state and national government, which defines the U.S. system since the 1930s, also called “marble cake’
Explain the Northwest Ordinance
Helped the expansion of the united states for the western territories, Prohibited slavey, 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start government Population of 60,000 could become a state
What is the Comity clause?
Constitutional clause that requires each state to treat citizens of other states equally and fairly, granting them the same "privileges and immunities" that it gives its own citizens
What is the process of amending the constitution?
Proposal: ⅔ vote in both the house and senate
Ratification: ¾ votes of state legislature (38/50 states)
Remember-the states need to ratify the amendment after it passes through congress (pitfall 3)
Explain the English rights of bills (1688)
The English Bill of Rights prohibited a standing army in peacetime and required that all elections be free. It also declared that laws could not be changed without consent of the parliament.
Right to a fair and speedy trial, freedom from excessive bail, and protection from cruel and unusual punishment
What was the importance of the great compromise?
Established The House of Representatives, with seats apportioned by population and The Senate, with equal representation for each state
or , created a compromise from both the New Jersey Plan and Virginia plan to allow finalization of the constitution to begin.
Explain shay’s rebellion and its impact on the articles of confederation
Shays rebellion was an uprising of famers in Massachusetts, who upon returning to their farms after the Revolution, were unpaid for their service and hit with severe bills/taxes as states needed to pay by themselves for the war, as there was no strong central government to help relive debt. It Illustrated the weaknesses of the articles of confederation, helped push ideas of a new constitution across the country
What is the full faith and credit clause?
Requires states to honor the “Public Acts, records, and judicial proceedings” of other states
What is the purpose of the constitution?
The constitution serves as an outline for how our government works, and specifies limitations on the federal and state government’s power, to protect the sovereignty of the people, and to allow them to create changes in government as the times change.
The constitution serves as a supreme law that allows the people to assemble, challenge their government, change their government, and to be apart of their government. And ensures that the people’s natural rights will be protected thorough their social contract