1. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 Chapter 2 The American Constitution American Government: Policy & Politics, Eighth Edition TANNAHILL

2. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 In This Chapter We Will Cover: The background of the Constitution Constitutional principles The living Constitution The Constitution, politics, and public policy

3. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 The Background of the Constitution Constitution –A constitution is the fundamental law by which a state or nation is organized and governed, and to which ordinary legislation must conform.

4. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 The Background of the Constitution The Colonial Period Initially colonists were happy with their relationship with Great Britain. By controlling the finances, colonial assemblies exercised substantial governing influence through the power of the purse.

5. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 The Background of the Constitution –After 1763, the British chose to reorganization their colonial system. The French and Indian War (1756-1763) left the British with a large war debt. The British decided Americans should pay more of the costs for defending and running the colonies. The British imposed new taxes on the colonists and increased the number of troops on American soil.

6. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 The Background of the Constitution Continental Congress –After declaring independence, the American states were loosely allied under the leadership of a unicameral (one-house) legislature.

7. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 The Background of the Constitution The Articles of Confederation –Following the Revolutionary War, the states created a confederation with no judiciary or executive wherein each state cast one vote and taxing measures required unanimous approval.

8. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 American Political Thought Social contract theory –Government is created through an informal contract or compact among the people and a formal contract between the people and the government (the Constitution). Natural Rights –The belief that individual rights transcend the power of government (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness).

9. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 American Political Thought Bill of Rights –A constitutional document guaranteeing individual rights and liberties. In the United States national government, the Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the Constitution.

10. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 Constitutional Principles Representative Democracy –Citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf. Rule of Law –Constitutional principle that discretion of public officials in dealing with individuals is limited by the law.

11. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 Constitutional Principles Limited Government –Principle that government does not have unrestricted authority over individuals. The Bill of Rights provides important restrictions of government in the U.S. system. –Antifederalists opposed the ratification of the Constitution because they thought it gave the central government too much power.

12. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 Constitutional Principles Separation of Powers with Checks and Balances –Separation of Powers The division of powers among executive, legislative, and judicial branches –Checks and Balances The overlapping of the powers of the branches of government designed to limit the authority of each

13. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 Constitutional Principles Federalism –Divides power between a central government, with authority over the whole nation, and a series of state governments

14. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 Constitutional Principles Bicameralism (two-house) –The division of Congress into two houses with different sizes, terms of office, responsibilities, and constituencies

15. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 The Living Constitution Constitutional change through practice and experience Constitutional change through amendment Change through judicial interpretation

16. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 Constitutional Change Through Practice and Experience The Presidency: The historical development of the office has given definition to its powers beyond the scope foreseen by framers. The committee system of Congress, the executive cabinet, and the political party system are not mentioned in the Constitution at all.

17. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 Constitutional Change Through Amendment A constitutional amendment is a formal, written change or addition to the nation’s governing document. Two methods of proposing amendment –Two-thirds vote of each house of Congress –Constitutional convention called by Congress upon petition by two-thirds of the states. To ratify an amendment –Three-fourths of the states must ratify –Vote of the state legislatures or state conventions

18. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 The Constitution, Politics, and Public Policy Fragmentation of political power in U.S. Deliberation and delay Political stability Diversity of political interests Complaints: –Favors the rich and wellborn –Interest groups –Political deadlock

19. Pearson Education, Inc.; Longman © 2006 Concluding Review Questions What does the debate over energy policy tell us about the Constitution? What were the Articles of Confederation? What is the Bill of Rights? Why did the framers adopt separation of powers and checks and balances? How does the Constitution change? How does the Constitution affect the policymaking process?