What are the ideals upon which America rests? – Democracy – Liberty / Freedom – Equality – Capitalism – Majority rule – … and many more Where do we get these ideals from?

Declaration of Independence – Read the first two paragraphstwo paragraphs – Principles contained in the document? – Why was this such a radical document for its time? Laid out principles of governance Gave justification for overthrowing any government Not a monarchy!

US Constitution – “Grand experiment in democracy” – First government in history to be set up based on a piece of paper Principles of US Constitution – Popular sovereignty – Limited government – Separation of powers – Checks and balances – Federalism

Three branches – Executive – Legislative – Judicial Before looking at each branch, which do you think is … – the most powerful? – The most important? – The most representative?

What does it do? – Makes the laws – How a bill becomes a law Who runs it? – House (435 members): Speaker of the House – Senate (100 members): Majority Leader (President pro tempore) Basis in Constitution? – Article I lays out powers of both chambers (examples of Congress, House, Senate)

What does it do? – Enforce the laws – When you think of “the Government”, the Executive Branch is it! Who runs it? – President – Bureaucracy (agencies, departments, etc) Basis in Constitution? – Article II lays out powers of President (examples)

What does it do? – Interpret the laws – Judicial Review Who runs it? – US Supreme Court = 1 chief justice, 8 associate justices – Appellate courts – District courts (lowest level) Basis in Constitution? – Article III – Only the USSC was created in constitution; all other courts created by Congress

Idea that local issues should be handled by local government Why? – Closest to the problem – Big country, lots of differences between states National issues handled by national government

Not anticipated by founding fathers Not provided for in Declaration, Constitution Came about shortly after founding (Federalists / Anti- Federalists) Today, two major parties – Democrats – Republicans Third Parties exist, too (examples?)

Democrats (Liberals) Basic philosophy: Government is a positive force, to improve people’s lives Emphasis on protecting (most) individual liberties (examples), gov’t regulation of marketplace Foreign relations: preference towards multi- lateral actions, skeptical of unilateral efforts Republicans (Conservatives) Basic philosophy: Government should be limited to allow individuals the ability to do best for themselves Emphasis on slowing individual innovation, free market principles Foreign relations: unilateral action ok; skeptical of multi- national efforts