1. The Declaration of Independence The Articles of Confederation
Game Theory
and
The Declaration of Independence
The Articles of Confederation

2. 2.10
The Concentration of Power is the biggest threat to liberty and free choice.

3. Of the three options which has the greatest potential for abuse of power?
Least?

4. Presidential Parliamentary
Dictatorship
Republic (representative democracy)
Direct Democracy
Of the two options which has the greatest potential for abuse of power?
Least?
Of the two options which has the greatest potential for abuse of power?
Least?

5. During what period of time did people in this country live under a unitary government?
Why was the removal of our representative in parliament such a big deal?

7. Circle all actions that increased the concentration of power

8. Why didn’t the American Colonies have problems coordinating their efforts during the revolution?

9. We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.
Benjamin Franklin

10. What game is this from unit 1?
Determine the payoffs for each strategy.
State 2
Fight British
Stay loyal to British
Fight British
State 1
Stay loyal to British

11. Player 2
Cooperate
Defect
Win!!!!!!
Cooperate
Player 1
Defect

12. Stag Hunt!!!!!!

14. Why was it important that representatives signed their names to the Declaration of Independence?

15. They were showing each other that they were “burning their boats”.

16. Why did the American states have problems coordinating their efforts after the revolution?

17. Articles of Confederation (1781-1787)
League of Friendship between states
Reaction to British Rule.
States had sovereignty and could establish own laws, currency, and tariffs
States had all domestic power, central government had little or no power.
Congress dealt with foreign issues and debt.
Congress had no enforcement power or
Congress had no power to tax and could only ask for donations.
Congress had no power to force states to provide to the military.
1 state = 1 vote regardless of size or population
13 out of 13 states had to approve changes
No judicial branch to judge and no executive branch to enforce congressional laws

18. Spending money but government too poor to operate

19. Articles of Confederation (1781-1787)
States voluntarily donated money but still enjoyed the protections of the central government regardless if they donated.
Rhode Island donated a grand total of $0.00
States did not have to contribute but still enjoyed the external benefits- classic “free rider” problem
In terms of a repeating prisoner’s dilemma the states that did donate realized that it wasn’t worth supporting all of the states and of course would seek their self interest.
states
not donate donate
not 1, ,0
donate 0, , 3

20. Articles of Confederation
Problems Causes Solution
States did not follow Central Government’s laws
The Central Government had no money. It couldn’t pay debts.
Inflation
Disputes and division among states
No trade or treaties with foreign nations and no reprisals against nations that hurt trade
Instability both economically and politically
Summarize Problems Summarize causes of problem Summarize solutions

21. Articles of Confederation
Problems Causes Solution
States did not follow Central Government’s laws
That Central Government had no enforcement power
Increase Central Power
The Central Government had no money. It couldn’t pay debts.
The Central Government had no power to tax
Give the Central Government power to tax
Inflation
Over printing by both the Central Government and state governments
National Currency
Disputes and division among states
States created inter-state tariffs, taxes and navigational rights disputes
National court system, central control of inter-state trade
No trade or treaties with foreign nations and no reprisals against nations that hurt trade
The Central Government had no power to enforce
Make it easier for the Central Government to act
Instability both economically and politically
No Central Power
Increase Central Power

22. Articles of Confederation (1781-1787)
Interstate Trade
State 2
Interstate tariffs no interstate tariffs
Interstate tariffs
State 1
No interstate tariffs
Outcomes?

23. What is the overall solution to these issue?
Brainstorm some methods of coordination.
What is the trade-off of needing an unanimous (13/13) vote to make changes?
Benefits? Costs?
Make a list of cost and benefits with regards to the decision to increase the power of the central government.
What are some methods to prevent the central government from abusing its power?

25. Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning #1
Information 2:
Information 1:
After 1756 the British became increasingly abusive of their power.
Critical Analysis Questions 2
Looking at the complaint section of the Declaration of Independence. Circle any action that would have resulted in a concentration of power.
Why would the king attempt to limit American’s Representation?
Critical Analysis Questions 1:
Information 3:
Recall that Stag Hunt, relies on trusting that parties will cooperate.
Critical Analysis Questions 3:
Why didn’t the American Colonies have problems coordinating their efforts during the revolution?
Why were the signatures of the Declaration extremely important?

26. Critical Analysis Questions 5:
Information 4:
Information 5:
The Articles of Confederation led to a free riding problem. States realized that they could still get the benefits of protection without having to pay taxes.
Critical Analysis Questions 5:
1. Predict how other states would respond when they realized that some states were not contributing to the government.
Critical Analysis Questions 4:
1. What is the trade-off of needing an unanimous (13/13) vote to make changes?
Benefits? Costs?
2. Why would the did the founders create a government with such little power?

27. 2. Complete chart and summarize columns