Exam 1 Flashcards
Describe the separation of powers (checks and balances) in America and how this system makes it difficult for the government to make change.
American Government is separated into three powers- Legislative (congress), Executive (president), and judicial (courts). Because each have the power to block each other, it’s difficult to make any change. The goal of our political system was to avoid tyranny and to make it impossible for any group- even the majority of the population- to amass enough power to abuse everyone else, and it does this, but at a terrible cost, as it is extremely difficult for the government to make any changes for the people.
Describe pluralist theory.
Pluralist theory holds that American democracy works well, as competition among many organized groups means that the public interest becomes public policy. It states that power is divided in America, and that’s as it should be.
Describe elitist theory.
Elitist theory claims that the powerful and rich few dominate. The government is controlled by super wealthy people, primarily white men who are in charge through power. It states that power is not dispersed in America and it should be.
Describe hyper (or anti) pluralist theory.
This theory sees the excessive influence of many competing groups as leading to muddled policy or inaction. It states that power is dispersed and it should not be because it leads to gridlock and nothing gets done.
Describe political pluralism.
Political power dispersed and divided against itself, a dispersal of power among many different groups within society so government can’t be abusive. But a government that’s not abusive cannot help, government is pitted against itself and can’t get anything done.
Describe constitutionalism.
Constitutionalism is - a limitation of government power and authority. It’s governments limited power, but the only thing it limits with reliability and effectiveness is governmental virtue, it lacks giving us genuine freedom. The constitution is a list of things the government can do; and government cannot do anything outside of this list.
Describe federalism.
A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government share formal authority over the same area and people, in America, these levels are the states and federal government. Federalism is the division of power between different levels of government, especially between the states and the national government, and the dispersal of power among the states. Federalism is part of pluralism as it’s a division of governmental power to prevent tyranny. States compete against federal government and vice versa.
Distinguish between dual federalism and cooperative federalism and explain the cake analogy.
In dual federalism, the national government and the states remain supreme within their own spheres. In cooperative federalism, national and state governments share powers and policy assignments. Dual federalism is a layer cake, as the national and state governments do their own things. Cooperative federalism is a marble cake, as powers and policy assignments are shared. The U.S. is leaning more towards cooperative federalism, but truly we are very competitive.
Describe the picket fence federalism model.
The integration of all levels of government to make certain policies or processes work. A fence is attached by posts and pickets. The posts represent different policies, and pickets represent federal (top), state(middle), and local (bottom) governments.
What were the federalist papers and what was their purpose?
The federalist papers are 85 newspaper essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. They support the constitution and it’s way of government, and convey that it will bring liberty to the people. The papers were published primarily in New York newspapers to obtain the New York vote for the ratification of the constitution.
What is the main Idea of Federalist 10 by James Madison and what did he mean when he discussed “faction”?
A faction is a group of people who come together to support a common interest or passion that may have a different opinion than the majority of the group. Madison believed in order to get rid of faction, we must get rid of liberty (harsh punishments/ dictatorship), or make people agree which is impossible. He believed we must instead attempt to prevent and control faction. He stated, “ambition must be made to counteract ambition”, and his idea was to set up a government that was not ruled by only one person, but rather a series of checks and balances that would give control to different branches in order to represent the best interest of the people. He says without this system, humans are selfish and politics can pull Americans to believe they will do right by them and then take over. This paper explains pluralism.
What is traditional democratic theory?
A theory that all public decisions are mediated through the bulk of the population, but it’s not very accurate because the bulk of the population doesn’t know much about our government system and couldn’t name a single representative
What was the slogan of early American colonists?
No taxation without representation
What’s the significance of Marbury vs. Madison?
The first time the court formally decided they would function with the power of judicial review
What’s the significance of McCulloch vs. Maryland?
The implied powers clause- government can do anything listed in the constitution and anything necessary and proper for doing things listed, like running a bank to make money and collect taxes
