POS/PUB 140 Lecture 1/31/08

The Constitution Features of the System Policy in a historical context

Philosophical Background Influence of David Hume and John Locke Arguments in the Federalist Papers

Madison (1787): human nature of individuals to form groups on common interests Proposed a “fragmented system”: horizontally and vertically Jefferson: more power to the States

The early concern/debate on what type of government we should have How might this strong vs. weak central government debate influence public policy? "The government which governs least, governs best” Thomas Jefferson Issues/problems with the Articles of Confederation?

Three branches of government Supposedly co-equal Create what we know as “checks and balances” via a “separation of powers”

Collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States;Imposts ExcisesWelfare To borrow money on the credit of the United States To regulate Commerce To provide and maintain a Navy To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Example #1: Congress power to impeach A judicial activity How often does this happen? Why? Example #2: Presidential Veto A legislative activity Which presidents have the most vetoes? What can Congress do in response? Example #3: Supreme Court reviews legislative intent What was a famous case for judicial review?

In terms of the structure of our government, what does federalism mean? What do the states do that the feds don’t? What do the feds do that the states don’t? What do both do?

State Corrections Elementary education Environment Liquor / drinking Police (L) Welfare Sanitation (L) Speed Limits Elections Defense Environment Postal Service Space Air Traffic / Port Authority Health Care – elderly and young Intelligence Citizenship / INS Elections Social Security Federal

NYS Health Department did not reapply for federal funding under Title V, due to “rigid federal standards.” The state would receive $3.2 million under the program “You can’t teach contraception other than to talk about its failure rates, you must assert … the only acceptable sexual union is between a husband and wife in monogamy and sex outside of that is harmful, psychologically and physically.” Joann Smith, Family Planning Advocates

Different Types of Intergovernmental Grants Categorical Grants Matching Grants Block Grants Example of a failed experiment in NY State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) Are all states the same? Political Commitment Administrative Capacity

Ideological stability Political stability Policy stability Stability in power