Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings
Essential Questions:
1. What is the purpose of government?
The main purpose of government is to maintain order, provide public goods, and promote equality.
2. What was the Founders' view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizens in the American Republic?
The Founders' view of the purpose of government is to secure the unalienable rights of the citizens. The role that citizens would have in the American Republic would to elect the government.
3. Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
These views are still relevant, the government is concerned of the welfare of the people and aim to represent them in decision making.
4. How does the Constitution underpin the U.S. government?
The Constitution made it so tyranny was not possible, and made sure that no one branch of government had too much power over another.
5. Why was the concept of "checks and balances" a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
It was a novel idea in the 18th century because it limited the power of a single person, but also let the branches check on one another. But today the Judicial Branch is interpreting laws beyond what the Constitution states and this is leading to the corruption of the government. For example, with the War Powers Act of 1941, the president gained enormous power over the federal government, the president was able to reorganize various agencies in order to better the country in times of war. This act also gave the president powers to monitor communication between the U.S. and foreign countries. This proves that the concept of checks and balances is deteriorating as time passes and the government gets stronger.
6. How does Madison's concept of checks and balances challenge the popular understanding of Montesquieu's theory of separation of powers?
Madison's concept of checks and balances ensures that no one branch of government has too much power, while Montesquieu's concept of the separation of powers is a model of government in which the different branches of government are responsible for different functions.
7. Define Democratic Theory, Republicanism, Pluralist Theory, Majoritarianism, and the Elitist Theory.
Anti-federalists feared the new governmental system because they thought that it would wipe out the states and destroy liberty in the process.
9. Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
It strengthens the concept of separation of powers because federalism is the division of the powers of national, state and local governments.
10. What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of "new federalism" and devolution?
Powers that state and local governments have is to enforce criminal law, regulate business, supervise public education, protect property, and more.
11. What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
The federal government should fund the programs that benefit the state's welfare as a whole, and attempt to fix any issues that a state cannot handle.
The main purpose of government is to maintain order, provide public goods, and promote equality.
2. What was the Founders' view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizens in the American Republic?
The Founders' view of the purpose of government is to secure the unalienable rights of the citizens. The role that citizens would have in the American Republic would to elect the government.
3. Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
These views are still relevant, the government is concerned of the welfare of the people and aim to represent them in decision making.
4. How does the Constitution underpin the U.S. government?
The Constitution made it so tyranny was not possible, and made sure that no one branch of government had too much power over another.
5. Why was the concept of "checks and balances" a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
It was a novel idea in the 18th century because it limited the power of a single person, but also let the branches check on one another. But today the Judicial Branch is interpreting laws beyond what the Constitution states and this is leading to the corruption of the government. For example, with the War Powers Act of 1941, the president gained enormous power over the federal government, the president was able to reorganize various agencies in order to better the country in times of war. This act also gave the president powers to monitor communication between the U.S. and foreign countries. This proves that the concept of checks and balances is deteriorating as time passes and the government gets stronger.
6. How does Madison's concept of checks and balances challenge the popular understanding of Montesquieu's theory of separation of powers?
Madison's concept of checks and balances ensures that no one branch of government has too much power, while Montesquieu's concept of the separation of powers is a model of government in which the different branches of government are responsible for different functions.
7. Define Democratic Theory, Republicanism, Pluralist Theory, Majoritarianism, and the Elitist Theory.
- Democratic Theory: a view as democracy as being embodied in a decision making process that involves universal participation, political equality, majority rule, and responsiveness.
- Republicanism: form of government in which power resides in the people and is exercised by their elected representatives.
- Pluralist Theory: an interpretation of democracy in which government by the people is taken to mean government by people operating through competing interest groups.
- Majoritarianism: classical theory of democracy in which government by the people is interpreted as government by the majority of the people.
- Elite Theory: view that a small group of people actually makes the most of the important government decisions.
Anti-federalists feared the new governmental system because they thought that it would wipe out the states and destroy liberty in the process.
9. Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
It strengthens the concept of separation of powers because federalism is the division of the powers of national, state and local governments.
10. What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of "new federalism" and devolution?
Powers that state and local governments have is to enforce criminal law, regulate business, supervise public education, protect property, and more.
11. What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
The federal government should fund the programs that benefit the state's welfare as a whole, and attempt to fix any issues that a state cannot handle.