1. The Constitution: Applying the Constitution
Civics
Chapter 3, Section 3

2. Main idea
The scope and impact of the Constitution has expanded as it has been put into practice, interpreted, and applied to new or changing social and political challenges.

3. Federal Government Applies the Constitution
The framers gave Congress the job of putting meat on the bones of the Constitution
Section 1 Art III authorized Congress to establish lower courts
Congress has created specifics for the Executive Branch
Congress also pushes into constitutionally silent areas where the Supreme Court intervenes

4. Executive Implementation
Executive agreements: arrangements or compacts with foreign leaders or foreign governments is a power found nowhere in the Constitution
Most do require congressional action

5. Judicial Interpretation
1803: the Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review, the Court’s power to determine if a law or other government action is constitutional
4th Amendment prohibits “unreasonable searches and seizures,” what about airport screenings, cell phones and wireless internet? It is up to the courts to interpret the 4th Amendment

6. Political Parties, Customs, and Traditions
Political parties are organized groups that seek to win elections to influence the activities of government
Progressives instrumental in passage of 16th, 17th, 19th amendments (income tax, direct election of senators, women voting)

7. Customs and Traditions
Great Britain has no written constitution- its all based on tradition
Having cabinet members is a tradition started by Washington
2 term limit for president was a tradition until broken by FDR, led to 22nd amendment

8. Criticisms of the Constitution
Jefferson: “the imperfections of a written Constitution will become apparent”
Diffusion of power makes it easy to avoid responsibility creating gridlock
Representation not equal-Wyoming has 2 senators with only 500,000 people, same as CA with 37 mil.
Electoral College allowed the election in 2000 of a president who did not have popular vote