Unit One: Gov20 Flashcards
America's Goals and Principles and The Constitutions Purpose and Design
What is the evolution of principles in American government, as influenced by Hobbes and Locke?
In the beginning, country’s founding
- individual satisfaction
- less scope of government
- economic growth
late 1800s to 1900s
- separate and equal station (equalities of rights, not equality of opportunity
> Supported by the social contract
What is the purpose of the Declaration of independence
Declares reasons of American revolution, justifies the right to revolution, and foreshadows purposes of the United States constitution.
What is one significance of the Declaration of Independence pertaining to certainty or uncertainty?
Uncertainty pertains to any decision made to govern. One must weigh the risks and benefits, and act acordingly.
Describe what the Declaration of Independence declare about government
All acts of government comes from the consent of the governed, and all acts can be traced to the responsibility of an individual.
Describe the meaning of “Nature” (DOI)
- Can be adjudicated through reason
- Universally knwon/covered/ avoidable
- What’s not human made
- What is essential (DOI)
Describe Self-evidence
what is unavoidable after lifting a veil, yet can also be the truth found when looking inwards
- we can choose, reflect, and have the will to do things [such as revolution]
Describe when the conditions that the federalists believed the American government had to meet in order to be true government
Equal rights– protection of majority as to prevent an oligarchy yet keeping indidivual rights
Democratic Republic– represent the people while not letting the people’s will convulse government
Who are the chief explainers and persuaders of the U.S. Constitution?
Federalists; Madison, Hamilton, and John Jay
Explain how the declaration of independence forms the United States
Besides declaring the conditions that have been met for the United States to revolt, it also outlines the purposes of a government that will be explored in later years as the nation begins to figure out how to govern itself. The Declaration of independence states that the purpose of government is to secure rights, as opposed to the insecurity found w.out its presence– provide security, protect from insecurity.
Describe how the FF perceive sole democratic rule
A Direct Democracy does not preserve liberty because majority rule is not the same as protection of individual rights. A democratic republic can better preserve liberty.
Describe the sentiments of antifederalists
- How can a large place remain a republic and democracy?
- What is the role of the states in the new government?
- How can a republic have longevity, based on our knowledge of history?
Define Oligarchy
rule of the few, federalists saw it as rule by wealthy over poor
What are the concerns of the federal government
- How do we deal with the problem of exploitation of the few over the many, or vice versa, that had beset other countries?
>. How do we deal with factions
>. How do we prevent totalitarian government - How can the government provide security and economic growth
- Are the Articles of Confederation Enough?
- Why do we need an energetic government
- Is the new structure a republican form of government? or a democratic republic?
Describe the most practical innovations of democatic republic government?
Separation of Powers
> Separate among three legislative branches
> Each power is seperated among three branches, but powers are connected to one another (Example: Presidential power as commander in chief is connected to legislative war power)
Also constant elections
Describe the founding father’s concerns of representation
Representation should follow your consitutency and/or your political party.
Describe the two problems founding father’s have come across with their drafting of the US constitution and how they’ve addressed it
Problem 1: Unwise government– foolish and impetuous government
Problem 2: Power to oppress minorities– protect individual rights over majority will
Solution 1: Constant Elections
Solution 2: Separation of Powers (independent but dependent on each other)
Added value: lots of opportunity for discussion
AV: Federal system w. union of states w/ power or domestic affairs = lack of tyranny
Unwise/foolish rule and oppressive majority is unlikely because of broadened competition within especially the legislative branch, discussion, and constant elections.
Describe how the legislative branch is structured
House > People
- why they’re re-elected every 2 years
Senate> State interest and national character
- new senate every 6 years
> longer terms, though have a risk of abuse, risk worth taking and more likely to have abuse some other branch
-originally elected by state
- less frequent election resonates with FF intent for the Senate to have a long-term outlook, thoughtful deliberation rather than bending to popular will
Describe the significance of Federalist 1
Introduces question: The constitution originates from reflection and choice, can you have a government from reflection and choice?
Describe the significance of Federalist 10
Since you can’t remove factions, control factions through a government that prioritizes republican vote, democratic republic elections w/ electoral college, and competition and discussion within the branches of government.
Describe the significance of Federalist 15
Echoes same sentiments as 6,9: Furthers that The AOC is insufficient because they want to create an imperium in imperio– sovereign state within a sovereign state– which induces lack of collaboration or unity.
Describe the significance of Federalist 4& most prominently 51
Separation of powers as a practical innovation for government
Describe significance of 72
Unlimited term limits assists in the energy and strength of presidency.
After FDR> 2 term limit
Gives an understanding of Hamilton’s political understanding, specifically of the executive branch
Describe the significance of Federalist 78
discusses the importance of an independent judicial branch and the defense of what would come to be known as “judicial review’s”, although it is not an enumerated power of the constitution
two points of this argument being: The constitution is the fundamental law,
Need a body which strengthens out clashes in law— legislative and fundamental law
what was the justification given for self government given by the declaration of independence
The Declaration of Independence states three basic ideas: (1) God made all men equal and gave them the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; (2) the main business of government is to protect these rights; (3) if a government tries to withhold these rights, the people are free to revolt and to set up a new government
