2. 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?

3. 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!

4. 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

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

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?)

11. 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