Purpose & Origins of Government
Why does government exist?
Government exists to maintain order, protect individual rights, and provide public services.
What was Shays' Rebellion?
An armed uprising of Massachusetts farmers over debt and farm foreclosures that exposed the weaknesses of the national government.
What is the Bill of Rights?
Added in 1791 as a compromise to win Anti-Federalist support for ratification. It explicitly guarantees individual protections against potential federal tyranny.
Enumerated Powers
Explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution (e.g., declaring war, coining money, regulating interstate commerce).
Block Grants
Federal funds provided for broad policy areas, giving states flexibility in deciding how to allocate money (e.g., Community Development Block Grants).
What does 'consent of the governed' mean?
The concept that a government's legitimacy and legal authority are derived from the approval of the people it rules.
What were the key weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
No executive branch, no power to tax, no national military, and required unanimous consent to amend.
Individual Rights
Specific freedoms protected from government infringement (e.g., free speech, practice of religion).
Reserved Powers
Powers kept exclusively by the states via the 10th Amendment (e.g., establishing public schools, issuing driver's licenses, managing local law enforcement).
Categorical Grants
Federal funds earmarked for narrow, specific purposes with strict federal conditions (e.g., funds designated strictly for highway construction).
What are natural rights?
Inalienable rights inherent to all humans, identified by Locke as life, liberty, and property.
What was the structure of government under the Articles of Confederation?
A loose league of sovereign states with a unicameral legislature where each state had one vote, lacking a national executive and judiciary.
Limits on Government
Direct restrictions on federal authority and procedure (e.g., requirement of search warrants, prohibition of cruel/unusual punishment).
Concurrent Powers
Powers shared simultaneously by national and state governments (e.g., levying taxes, establishing courts, borrowing money).
Funded Mandate
The federal government provides financial grants to help states pay for implementation.
What were the key contributions of John Locke?
Locke focused on natural rights and popular sovereignty, influencing democratic principles.
9th Amendment
Rights reserved to the people (unenumerated rights exist beyond those listed).
What were the key contributions of Montesquieu?
Montesquieu advocated for the separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny.
10th Amendment
Powers not delegated to the national government are reserved to the states or the people.