1. American Politics Jeffrey Karp j.karp@exeter.ac.uk 3 October 2011

2. Introduction to the course
Web page:
Course syllabus
Readings
Assessment
Tutorials

3. The U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution lays out the principals and rules that define our political system
At the time the Constitution designed in 1787 it was extremely innovative. The American political system is unique in the world; most modern democracies are not designed this way.
The U.S. Constitution was designed as an alternative to the Articles of Confederation which were written in 1777 and ratified in 1781 and contained the rules that governed the nation until 1789.

4. Emphasis on Individual Rights
The constitution is designed to favor protecting the rights of the individual over respecting the wishes of the majority.
Tyranny of the majority refers to a situation in which the majority uses its advantage in numbers to suppress the rights of the minority.

5. Protections Against Tyranny of Majority
Divides authority through separate institutions with shared powers and checks and balances.
Organized elections
Requires supra-majorities
Reserves some power for states
Set boundaries on the powers of government; ie. Bill of Rights
The Constitution is designed to preserve the status quo so it is very difficult to change.

6. Divided Authority Separate institutions Bicameralism
Separate institutions
Bicameralism
Concurrent majorities
Checks and balances
Shared powers
Federalism

7. Separate Institutions
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
Executive Branch
Judiciary

8. Staggered Elections
House of Representatives: every 2 years all 435 members are up for reelection for a two year term
Senate: every 2 years one third of the 100 members are up for reelection for a six year term
President: every 4 years
Judiciary: Appointed (not elected) for life

9. Separate Institutions with Shared Power
Congress passes legislation but President can use a veto
President appoints executive officers and negotiates treaties.
Senate confirms top executive appointments and ratifies treaties
Judicial review (established in Marbury vs. Madison, 1803)

10. Examples of Supra Majorities
Concurrent majorities (House and Senate)
Treaty requires 2/3rds of approval by Senate
Congress requires 2/3rds in both houses to over ride a presidential veto
Constitutional amendments require 2/3rds approval by both House and Senate and 3/4ths of states or
2/3rds in both houses of Congress and ratified by conventions in 3/4ths of the states (used once 21st Amendment--repealed prohibition)
National constitutional convention call by 2/3rds of the state legislatures

11. Process for Amendments

12. The primary thing to take away…
America is not so much a democracy as it is a republic.
The whole idea of the Constitution was to limit majority rule, to prevent tyranny of the majority.
This is why laws are not made directly, but elect representatives to do so, and supra-majorities or checks and balances are required in every step of legislation and execution.