PSCI 352Y Midterm #2 Flashcards
what were the two practical problems of the Union
Weak articles of confederation
weak continental congress
what were the main limiting factors for the weak continental congress under the articles of confederation
no taxing power
no power to maintain a standing army
what event brought to light the weakness of the articles of confederation and why
Shays rebellion demonstrated the weakness of the federal government in protection of the US against threats
why is thomas pain not considered a founding father
considered politically radical
not bound to one country
ridiculed for his character and inability to maintain a job
why was Thomas Paine considered politically radical (2)
wrote to the common people with immense amounts of anger
had radical ideas considering even slave emancipation and gender equality
what are the main tenants of classical republicanism (4)
small territory and small population
social equality and frugality
homogenous population
civil virtue and political talent
why was a small territory ideal in classical republicanism
constituants could look representatives in the eye
ease of communication
social equality and frugality are tenants of classical republicanism. what is meant by that (3)
there should be a small gap between rich and poor
people should avoid pomp and circumstance (be humble)
the ideal is for a large middle class
Within classical republicanism, a homogenous society is preferable. What does a homogenous society entail and why is it preferable?
A society with a shared history, interests, and culture
a homogenous society makes for easier cooperation
why is civic virtue and political talent a tenant of classical republicanism
people serve out of a sense of honor and responsibility to their people not out of economic desire
the general public ought to be engaged in politics (the art of debate)
what are Madison’s three principles of constitutionality
social contract theory
rule of law and constitutional supremacy
popular sovereignty
why does madison favor an indirect democracy over a direct democracy
there are more good representatives in the candidate pool
minorities can have more say
what are the three potential functions of a representative according to madison
Mandate or rubber- stamp: instructed delegate in promoting interest of his voters; lobbyists
Truste or honest broker: people elect the honest person to act on his own conscience
safety valve- representatives pursue the interests of the whole country not just a section of it (the public good is only known by the few)
who were three prominent federalists that believed representatives ought to act as the safety valve description of a representative?
hamilton, adams, and madison
who is accredited with the idea of seperation of powers and checks and balances and what were the three branches
john adams
executive, legislative, judicial
what was the core of the argument between hamilton and adams?
which branch should hold more authority
Adams- legislative senate because
in the federalist vs federalist argument between Hamilton and Adams, what was hamiltons position?
Hamilton- the executive branch becuase it is an energetic and efficient instrument of power
in the federalist vs federalist argument between Hamilton and Adams, what was adams position?
adams- the legislative senate would be more stable and act as an instrument in morality
what were the four aspects of the anti federalist thought
embrace of classical republicanism
fear of unitary government under the new constiution
fear of aristocratic representation
not enough checks and balances
the federalists were against ratification of the consituition for multiple reasons including the lack of checks and balances. Explain what the anti federalists meant by lack of checks and balances
giving the supreme court tenure would make it the most powerful branch and the potential for judicial review
there is not enough language to remove corruption from office
what do the federalists and anti-Federalists agree on
human nature is not always good and there needs to be a machine to protect people from other people
what are the reasons madison supported the creation of the bill of rights (2)
necessary to ratify the constitution
bill of rights could keep a potential mob in check
what were the four main reasons to ratify the constitution for the federalists
human passions and self interest need to be held in check
belief and defense of the checks and balances system
the constituion would oversee a large and diverse population
the new system would be federal and involve the opinions of the states (not taking away states powers)
where do the federalists split from classical repulicanism
the federalists believe in a government that would oversee a large and diverse population (the US is not going to be small and homogenous)
federalists prefer a diverse population to prevent an overbearing majority against a small minority
