Study of Government
Government vs. Politics Government An institution Politics A process
Population Territory Government Sovereignty 4 features of a state
The state exists to serve the will of the people Purpose of the “state” under the Social Contract Theory
Form a more perfect union Establish justice Provide for the common defense Promote the general welfare Insure domestic tranquility Secure the blessings of liberty 6 Purposes of Government in the Preamble
The will of the majority cannot be used to deprive the rights to a member of a minority group. Majority Rule vs. Minority Rights
Complaints of the wrongs done to the colonists Major content of the Declaration of Independence
Only a legislative branch, consisting of a unicameral Congress Branches of government under the Articles of Confederation
Decided to draft a new constitution What resulted from the Philadelphia Convention
New Jersey Plan: unicameral Congress with each state represented equally, a federal executive Virginia Plan: 3 branches, with a bicameral Congress Connecticut Plan: Congress would have 2 Houses; smaller Senate and a larger House Convention Plans
Made it possible for smaller states to support the creation of a strong central government Smaller states favor Connecticut Compromise
Federalists: favored ratification of the Constitution Anti-Federalists: feared that the new government would have too much power and the people too little. Federalists vs. Anti- Federalists
Legislative branch Judicial branch Executive branch Power separation in the Constitution
Congress: senate approves the President’s nominee for Supreme Court justice President: can veto an Act of Congress Courts: Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional Checks and balances examples
“We the People” Popular sovereignty 1 st three words of the Constitution and its principle
Has built-in provisions or accommodating change Constitution has lasted 200+ years…
Bill of Rights ratified in 1791 An amendment may only be changed by another amendment Ratification of the Bill of Rights and beyond
Divides power between a National Government and State Governments Purpose of Federalism
Summary: Refusal of McCulloch from paying taxes Ruling: McCulloch won due to the Supremacy Clause McCulloch v. Maryland
States must honor the legality of one another’s civil laws Full Faith and Credit Clause
Who has power within a federal system of government? How is power divided within this system? 19. Political Cartoon (88- 89)
Discuss the 6 purposes of government as outlined in the Preamble. (p. 8-9) Explain or justify the Social Contract Theory of government. (8) Describe the system of checks and balances created by the Constitution. (67) 20. Essay Brainstorm