More Constitutional Principles GOVT 2305, Module 2

Federalism A political system that divides governmental power between a central government and smaller territorial units, such as states.

Federal System A large diverse country because it allows for regional variations to accommodate local preferences. Is federalism a better fit for a small, relatively homogeneous country or a large diverse country (as opposed to a unitary system)? Why?

Bicameral Congress A legislative body with two chambers

Bicameral Congress Does a bicameral Congress make the legislative branch stronger or weaker relative to the other branches? Why? Bicameralism weakens the Congress relative to the other branches by dividing it.

Representative Democracy A representative democracy is a political system in which citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf.

Which model best describes American Government? Model A Model B Citizens make policy decisions. Citizens elect representatives who make policy decisions on their behalf.

Model A: Direct Democracy A form of political decision-making in which the public business is decided by all citizens meeting in small assemblies. Did the framers of the Constitution trust the people to do this? No

Model B: Representative Democracy Indirect government, in which the people rule through elected representatives. Who are some of the elected representatives who make decisions on behalf of the people? President, senators, members of Congress, governor, mayor, council members, school board members, and many more.

Representative Democracy Strengths Weaknesses Representatives can focus their full attention on policy issues. Representatives can work with each other and interest groups to develop good public policy. Representatives can be held accountable by the voters. Representatives can be out to gain personal power or personal fortune rather than to do what’s best for their constituents and the country. Representatives may focus on short-term perspectives because of the next election rather than long-term goals.

Bill of Rights A Bill of rights is a constitutional document guaranteeing individual rights and liberties.

What are some of the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights? Limited Government What are some of the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

Notes about the Bill of Rights Not part of the original Constitution Center of ratification debate Congress proposed 12 amendments, 10 ratified Initially, it applied only to national government Since the early twentieth century, the Supreme Court has applied most of the rights to the states, a process known as the selective incorporation of the Bill of Rights Bill of Rights not subject to majority vote

Amending the Constitution A constitutional amendment is a formal, written change or addition to the nation’s governing document.

Amending the Constitution To propose: 2/3rds 3/4ths of both houses of Congress. To ratify: of states.

No. It fell short of two thirds in the House and the Senate. Marriage Amendment “Marriage in the United States shall consist solely of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman.” In 2004, the amendment received 48 votes in favor, 50 against in the Senate. In the House, the vote was 227 yes to 186 no. No. It fell short of two thirds in the House and the Senate. Did this proposed amendment pass Congress and go to the states for ratification?

Was this amendment added to the Constitution? DC Representation “For purposes of representation in the Congress, election of the President and Vice President, and article V of this Constitution, the District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall be treated as though it were a State.” The amendment passed Congress in 1978, but only 16 states ratified it. No. It fell way short of three fourths of the states agreeing for ratification. Was this amendment added to the Constitution?

What You Have Learned What is federalism? What is bicameralism? How does the Bill of Rights affect the power of government? What is representative democracy? How is the Constitution amended?