Philosophy
What happens when people enter the social contract?
They give up the state of nature some of their rights in order to enter a governed society.
Its power was limited and gave more power to states not federal gov which weakened the gov.
What are concurrent powers?
Powers the Constitution gives to the federal and state gov. to collect taxes.
What is the 10th amendment?
States that the federal gov. only has the powers that are given to it by the Constitution.
Define tabula rasa.
Name the main beliefs of John Locke.
Locke believed in tabula rasa, people are naturally good, the gov should represent people so that their rights are protected and they are responsive to the gov.
What was the main reason for writing Brutus 1?
To show the perspective of the anti-federalists and to steer people away from a strong central government because they believed it would lead to tyranny.
When is the federal gov. prohibited from exercising its powers?
When they interfere with the state's abilities to perform its responsibilities.
Are federal mandates a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
Bad, states that receive money from the government often are given requirements in order to get that money. States that fund themselves have more freedom.
What is a faction?
A small group or a group within a group such as a political party or a special interest group.
What are the main beliefs of Thomas Hobbes?
People are naturally bad, state of nature is bad, monarchy is the best system of gov, and the gov should control people not represent them.
Why does the Constitution split the government into three branches?
According to Montesquieu, tyranny could be prevented by having different gov. bodies exercising different powers (separation of powers).
Define expressed powers.
Powers that are explicitly stated in the first three articles of the Constitution.
What effect did McCulloch v Maryland have?
Established national supremacy and the doctrine of implied powers through the elastic clause.
What was the 3/5th Compromise?
Define consent of the governed.
A government's use of power is justified and can only be legitimate if the people give their consent to be governed.
What is the central idea of Federalist 51?
How power is equally distributed because of checks and balances and the system of separation of powers.
What are implied powers?
Powers that are assumed by Congress given by the necessary and proper clause.
An agreement in which the constitution distributes power to both federal and state governments so that they can exercise authority over individuals.
Who was James Madison?
"father of the Constitution" and the 3rd President.
What are the three types of government according to Montesquieu?
Republics, monarchies, and despotisms.
What was the main reason for the British leaving to come to America according to the Declaration of Independence?
The British saw the king as a tyrannical leader who was denying them basic rights given by God.
How do inherent powers affect US foreign affairs?
Can purchase territories, regulate nuclear weapons, NASA, the stock market, and other organizations.
Keeps the gov. closer to the people, checks growth of tyranny, and allows unity without uniformity across the country allowing for experimentation.
What did the Connecticut compromise do?
Solved the issue of how states are represented in gov and created bicameral congress, made both big and small states happy. One house is based on population and the other has an equal number of representatives.