American congress Flashcards
Vices of politcal system of the united states
- Factionalism: Madison believed that factions, or groups of people with similar interests or opinions, could easily take control of the government and act in their own self-interest at the expense of the common good.
- Tyranny of the majority: Madison feared that the majority could use its power to oppress minorities or individuals who hold unpopular views.
- Instability: Madison argued that democracies were prone to instability because they often involved rapid and frequent changes in leadership and policies.
- Inefficiency: Madison believed that democracies were often inefficient because they required consensus-building and compromise, which could slow down decision-making processes.
- To address these vices, Madison proposed a system of government that would balance the interests of different factions and prevent any one group from becoming too powerful. He called this system a “republic,” in which representatives elected by the people would make decisions on behalf of the whole society.
summarize theFesderalist 10 .
Federalist No. 10 is
Madison argues that factions, or groups of people with similar interests or opinions, are an inevitable part of human nature and politics.
Madison identifies two ways to deal with factions: either remove the causes of factions (which is impossible, as they arise from differences in opinions and interests), or control their effects. Madison advocates for controlling the effects of factions by creating a republic, rather than a pure democracy, in which representatives elected by the people would make decisions on behalf of the whole society.
Madison argues that a republic can best control the effects of factions because it can accommodate a large number of interests and opinions, making it more difficult for any one faction to gain too much power. Additionally, a republic allows for the representation of diverse interests, ensuring that no one faction can dominate the political system.
In conclusion, Federalist No. 10 argues that a republic, which balances the interests of different factions, is the best form of government to control the effects of factions and promote the common good.
summarize the Federalist 51
Federalist No. 51 is an essay written by James Madison, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, which focuses on the separation of powers and the checks and balances system of the American government.
Madison argues that the separation of powers is necessary to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. He believes that each branch of government (legislative, executive, and judicial) should be independent and have the ability to check the power of the others. This way, no one branch can dominate the others or the people.
Madison also argues that the system of checks and balances helps to protect individual rights and prevent tyranny. Each branch of government should have the power to limit the power of the others, thus ensuring that no one person or group can gain too much control over the government.
Additionally, Madison argues that the system of checks and balances works best when each branch of government is selected differently and for different terms. This way, each branch can be independent and work to fulfill its unique responsibilities without undue influence from the others.
In conclusion, Federalist No. 51 advocates for a government with separate branches, each with the ability to check and balance the others, as the best way to protect individual rights and prevent tyranny.
summarize the federalist 37
Federalist No. 37 is in favor of the ratification of the proposed United States Constitution.
In this essay, Madison responds to criticisms of the Constitutional Convention and defends the decisions made during the convention. He argues that the framers of the Constitution were not perfect, but they did their best to create a document that would establish a government capable of addressing the challenges faced by the United States.
Madison defends the secrecy of the convention, stating that it was necessary to ensure frank and honest discussion among the delegates. He also addresses concerns about the size and diversity of the country, arguing that the federal government must be able to accommodate the interests and needs of all citizens.
Overall, Federalist No. 37 is a defense of the Constitution and the decisions made during the Constitutional Convention. Madison argues that the Constitution is a product of compromise and was designed to create a strong and effective federal government capable of meeting the needs of a diverse and growing country.
Summarize the Federalist 38
Federalist No. 38 is an essay written by James Madison, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, that continues the discussion of the proposed United States Constitution and the arguments for its ratification.
In this essay, Madison addresses concerns about the power of the federal government and the potential for it to infringe on the rights of the states. He argues that the Constitution strikes a careful balance between the powers of the federal government and the rights of the states, and that it creates a system of government that is both strong and responsive to the needs of the people.
Madison acknowledges that the federal government does have the power to regulate commerce and taxes, but he argues that these powers are necessary for the functioning of a unified and prosperous country. He also defends the idea of a strong federal government, stating that it is necessary to protect the country from foreign threats and to provide for the general welfare of the people.
Additionally, Madison argues that the Constitution contains safeguards to protect the rights of the states, including the Tenth Amendment, which reserves all powers not explicitly granted to the federal government to the states.
Overall, Federalist No. 38 is a defense of the Constitution and the balance of powers it establishes between the federal government and the states. Madison argues that the Constitution creates a strong and effective government while also protecting the rights and interests of the states and the people
Summarize the Federalist 38
Federalist No. 38 is an essay written by James Madison, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, that continues the discussion of the proposed United States Constitution and the arguments for its ratification.
In this essay, Madison addresses concerns about the power of the federal government and the potential for it to infringe on the rights of the states. He argues that the Constitution strikes a careful balance between the powers of the federal government and the rights of the states, and that it creates a system of government that is both strong and responsive to the needs of the people.
Madison acknowledges that the federal government does have the power to regulate commerce and taxes, but he argues that these powers are necessary for the functioning of a unified and prosperous country. He also defends the idea of a strong federal government, stating that it is necessary to protect the country from foreign threats and to provide for the general welfare of the people.
Additionally, Madison argues that the Constitution contains safeguards to protect the rights of the states, including the Tenth Amendment, which reserves all powers not explicitly granted to the federal government to the states.
Overall, Federalist No. 38 is a defense of the Constitution and the balance of powers it establishes between the federal government and the states. Madison argues that the Constitution creates a strong and effective government while also protecting the rights and interests of the states and the people.
Summarize the Federalist 39
Federalist No. 39 is an essay written by James Madison, discusses the nature of the proposed United States Constitution and its relationship to the principles of republican government.
In this essay, Madison argues that the Constitution is a unique document that combines elements of both a federal and a national government. He asserts that the Constitution establishes a federal government because it is composed of representatives from the states and is responsible for certain limited tasks, such as national defense and foreign relations. At the same time, he argues that the Constitution also establishes a national government because it derives its authority from the people rather than the states and is responsible for the general welfare of the entire country.
Madison also addresses concerns about the nature of the government established by the Constitution. He argues that the government is truly republican in nature because it is based on the principle of popular sovereignty, meaning that the people are the ultimate source of political power. He also asserts that the government is representative in nature because it is composed of elected officials who are accountable to the people.
Additionally, Madison argues that the Constitution strikes a careful balance between the power of the federal government and the rights of the states. He asserts that the Constitution creates a government that is strong enough to meet the challenges facing the country, while also protecting the rights and interests of the states and the people.
Overall, Federalist No. 39 is an exploration of the nature of the proposed United States Constitution and its relationship to the principles of republican government. Madison argues that the Constitution establishes a unique system of government that combines elements of both a federal and a national government, and that it is designed to balance the power of the federal government with the rights of the states and the people.
Political party facility represertaive government
. They can solve problems for candidates and officeholders. By organizing the legislature, they can overcome the collective-action problem inherent to large organizations.
By creating interbranch networks of fellow partisans, they can facilitate the enactment of legislation.
By controlling political nominations, they can regulate ambition.
By building large networks of donors, they can mitigate the financial burdens candidates face in mounting campaigns.
Finally, by providing voters with information, they can help make vote choices more rational and thus electoral outcomes more predictable.1
Rules for senate debate
A simple majorty enact debate. 3/5 to end debate
The purpose oif congessional rule
Rule transform a cacophony of voice into consensus
Rules are a social choice mechanism , transform individual preference into a collective result .
Three set of coingessional committee
Standsing committee: Permnnaent bodies with discrete jurisdictions carried Congress
ex: Ways and Means committee control over lawmaking process from Treasury.
special commirree /select committee:
Conference committede = ad hoc committees that resolve difference between House and senate bills. committee
Theories of congessional committees
Informative: Members obliged to legestate without experience.
Congressional Committees. Dividing labor into discrete policy chunks, members develop expertises.
If average floor member truse committees, he or she can vote confidently
The Partisan theory of Committees:
teams whose purpose is to control the government .
Parties employ committees to craft legislature consistence e=with maintains of control.
Consistency of the formation of ways and Means committees.
Distributive theory:
Members feels obligated to delivery benefits to their consituents. Logroll, where members agree to vote for each other’s bills.
Members drawn to committees that deliver particular benefits.
the role of committee
Committee are time savers
Committees are consensus enforcers
Build policy expertees
Bipartisan campaign reform act of 2002 outlawed soft money.
Homestyle vs Hillstyle
Homestyle” and “Hillstyle” are terms used to describe the behavior and activities of members of Congress.
Homestyle refers to the way in which a member of Congress presents themselves and interacts with their constituents back in their home district or state. This can include attending local events, holding town hall meetings, communicating with local media, and working to address issues that are of particular concern to their constituents.
Hillstyle, on the other hand, refers to the way in which a member of Congress behaves and operates while they are in Washington, D.C., specifically within the halls of Congress and among their colleagues. This can include building alliances with other members of Congress, working to advance legislation and policy goals, and negotiating with other lawmakers and members of the executive branch.
Both homestyle and hillstyle are important for members of Congress to be effective in their roles. Members need to have a strong connection with their constituents back home in order to maintain their support and win re-election, while also working effectively within the complex and often challenging environment of Congress in order to get things done.
