Essay Questions

Question 1

Define Constitutional Regime

Answer 1

Practically a liberal democracy

Safequards Key rights (Political, social and/or economical rights)
Establishes the institutions (puts limits on govt)
Also puts outlines for gov’t (no one is above law/everyone is equal)

Question 2

What Aspects of U.S. make it a constitutional Regime?

Answer 2

In the U.S. people have the right to vote but they also have social rights as well. (freedom to assemble, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, etc.)

Question 3

Refer to the five particular aspects from the Constiution

Answer 3

1. Protections (5th Amendment)-Due process clause protects citizens rights when being charged with a crime.
   No unreasonable searches (4th Amendment)
2. Structure (Articles 1, 2 and 3) - declare the structure of Government such as giving Congress the power to declare war, Giving the President the title of Commander in chief, and declaring ONE supreme court.
   (article 4) states fit into the structure of govt (states can’t enter into a treaty;states can’t wage war)
3. Rights (1st Amendment) - Free Speech, Freedom of Religion, Free Press, and Free Assembly (Peaceful)……
4. Checks and Balance (Articles 1, 2, and 3) - President has right to veto but Congress can Veto with 2/3 vote
5. Responsibility and Political Participation - Rights (1st Amendment) - Free Speech, Freedom of Religion, Free Press, and Free Assembly (Peaceful)…… Voting Rights=Any Race can vote (amendment 15); Voting age (Amendment 16)

Question 4

Has U.S. policy since the War on Terror threatened the U.S. definition of a Constitutional Regime?

Answer 4

No it has enhanced the U.S. thought of a liberal democracy. Some can argue that policies since the war have invaded the U.S. citizens rights but this is not true. The war began because of the need to protest American from foreign warfare and attacks. The war has done nothing to limit liberal democracy here on the homeland but it has tried in many ways to pursue a liberal democracy in parts of both Iraq and Afghanistan. The war was at first to hunt down terrorists but the rhetoric at least coming from gov’t officials is that we are staying in Iraq to help the country rebuild and to give the people in those countries for rights/freedom.