Chapter 3 Section 4 The Constitution and the Public Good Pages 60-62

Objectives 1. Discuss James Madison’s contribution to the development of the U.S. Government. 2. List ways the Constitution ensures that government makes laws that promote the public good. 3. Discuss critics’ claims that the Constitution sometimes makes government less effective.

Factions: people motivated by self-interest. Factions can consist of minority or majority of the population. Madison argued that majority factions were more dangerous than minority factions. Self- interested majority, can hurt the public good.

Preventing Control by Factions Madison insisted that the Constitution prevents factions by the size of the United States and the system of checks and balances. Size: Large republics would have to many competing interests. The Constitution with the rights and freedoms it promises, equal chance to be represented. Checks and Balances: Constitution provides each of the branches of government with ways to check the powers of the other branches.

Enacting Good Policies The Constitution formed a republic in which government will pass laws that serve broader interests of society, or the public good. Debate at the local level is important and could lead to benefiting the whole community. [swimming pool]

Effective Government Representative government has survived for over 200 years. Some feel the Constitution makes it difficult for government to function very effectively. Gridlock: The Constitution’s design promotes gridlock. The legislative process comes to a standstill because political parties block each other’s efforts. [Clinton and Congress shutdown]

Avoiding Responsibility: In the checks and balance system it is hard to lay blame at bad government. Many feel that government spends poorly. Whom do you hold responsible? It is the citizens of the democracy to decide if they have elected the right representatives.