1. Constitutional Underpinnings

2. Journal #1
Distinguishing between power and authority is, fundamentally, reflective of one’s political beliefs. In what kinds of institutions do you have confidence? Why do you trust them? In contrast, what kinds of institutions raise your suspicions? Why?

3. # 1. What is political power?
Power as it is used to affect who will hold government office & how government will behave
Authority: the right to use power
Legitimacy

4. #2. What is democracy? Describes three different political systems
1. Democratic centralism
2. Aristotelian (direct or participatory)
3. Representative democracy

5. #3. Direct v. Representative Democracy
Direct: impractical, ”mobocracy” ,
Representative: favored by the framers, Constitution does not contain word “democracy”

6. #4. How is power distributed in a democracy?
A. Majoritarian politics
Leaders follow the wishes of the people
B. Elitism
gov’t is controlled by the dominant class
Power elite – key corporate leaders, military leaders, & political leaders
Bureaucrats (nonelected gov’t workers)
Pluralist: no single elite has a monopoly on power

7. 5. Describe the events leading to the demise of the Articles of Confederation

8. Could not levy taxes or regulate commerce
little money coined by Congress
Disputes between states

9. No National judicial system
Congress did have the power to maintain an army & navy, yet lacked resources

10. 6. Examine the philosophies, backgrounds, and experiences of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention

11. Framers - Young (exception Franklin) vast amount of political, educational, legal & business experience

12. Motives debated over the years.
Key players Hamilton & Madison
Missing- Jefferson, Adams & Henry

13. 7. Key Principles – Pushed by Madison
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Checks & Balances
Limits on the Majority- only the House elected by the people

14. Critics views Reducing the Separation of Powers
Making the system less Democratic

15. 8. Describe the ratification procedures and arguments for and against ratification of the Constitution

16. The Constitution had to be approved by 9 states not 13
Proponents – Federalists (nationalists)
Opponents – Antifederalists (states’ righters)

17. 9. What were the liberties guaranteed in the Constitution?
Writ of habeas corpus may not be suspended
No bill of attainder may be passed
No ex post facto may be passed
Right of trial by jury
Citizens of each state are entitled to the privileges and immunities of the citizens of every other state
No religious test for holding federal office

18. Government Make and enforce public policies
Consists of lawmakers, administrators and judges

19. Public Policy
Is a choice that gov’t makes in response to some issue on its agenda

20. Types of Public Policy Congressional statute (laws)
Presidential action
Court decision
Regulation

21. Forms of Government
Monarchy/Dictatorship/Oligarchy
Republic
Theocracy

22. HOW IS POWER DISTRIBUTED?
Unitary
Federal
Confederation

23. Figure 3.1: Lines of Power in Three Systems of Government

24. Figure 3.1: Lines of Power in Three Systems of Government (cont’d)

25. Figure 3.1: Lines of Power in Three Systems of Government (cont’d)

26. Relationship between Leg. & Executive
Presidential
Parliamentary

28. Gov’t by force / By the People
Dictatorship
Democracy
participatory
Representative

29. Journal # 2, 2/5/10
Which form of government, presidential or parliamentary is best to respond to the needs of the citizens? Why?

30. American Political Culture
Political culture – is the distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out.
Political culture should not be confused with Political ideology

31. Basic views - political
Liberty (Freedoms)
Equality
Democracy
Civic duty
Individual responsibility

32. Economic assumptions Liberty – free-enterprise
“equality of opportunity”
Individualism

33. Cultural Conflict
Areas of disagreement include- abortion, gay rights, drug use, school prayer, and pornography
Two basic views
Orthodox – morality more important than self-expression
Progressive- personal freedom more important than traditional moral rules

34. Figure 4.1: Trust in the Federal Government, 1958-2001
Source: University of Michigan, The National Election Studies, (September 1999), table 5A.1, updated by Los Angeles Times, poll taken November 10-13, 2001.

35. Political Efficacy- The capacity to understand and influence political events

36. Figure 4.2: Changes in the Sense of Political Efficacy
Source: University of Michigan, The National Election Studies,

37. Table 4.2: Patriotism in America, France, and Germany

38. Table 4.3: Commitment to Income Equity in Sweden and the United States

39. Figure 4.4a: Views of Toleration and Morality
Source: The American Enterprise (January/February 1999): 37, reporting data from Roper, Washington Post, Harvard, and Kaiser Family Foundation polls.

40. Figure 4.4b: Views of Toleration and Morality (cont’d)
Source: The American Enterprise (January/February 1999): 37, reporting data from Roper, Washington Post, Harvard, and Kaiser Family Foundation polls.

41. Figure 4.5: Changes in Levels of Political Tolerance, 1930-1999
Source: Gallup poll data, various years, as compiled by Professor John Zaller, Department of Political Science, UCLA; The Gallup Organization, Poll Releases (March 29, 1999), 2-6.

42. Table 4.7: Religion in Industrialized Nations, 1990-1993