Constitutional Underpinnings
Essential Questions:
What is the purpose of government?
(1) To maintain order, protect every individual's life and private property.
(2) To provide public goods, or those benefits available to all of us that are not likely to be provided voluntarily by citizens.
(3) Most recently, government's purpose is to promote equality, socially and economically.
In short, government exists to promote and protect the interests of the governed.
What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic?
According to the Declaration of Independence, the purpose of government was to protect man's inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They also believed that citizens have the repsonsibility to uphold these unalienable rights by voting for representatives who will serve the public interest and to alter or overthrow the government when a threat to any of those rights appears.
Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
Yes; when one of our inalienable rights, such as the right to life, is threatened, our elected representatives still strive to protect them. For example, our elected representatives are currently trying to protect the lives of as man Americans as possible by implementing new health care legislation. Many of us still vote for the representatives who we think we will protect our interests best. For example, most of the Hispanic population in America voted for Obama, as he promised to reform immigration laws, among other things.
How does the constitution underpin U.S. government?
It establishes the reasons for the government, the goals of the government, and that the government derives its power from the people. In essence, the Constitution establishes the principles under which the U.S. government operates.
Why was the concept of “checks and balances” a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
Prior to the American revolution, the colonists were subject to any and all abuses under the British monarch, who exercised control in all aspects without any limit on that power.
How does Madison’s concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers?
Montesquieu's theory of separation of powers means that certain powers belong to only certain branches of government. However, Madison's idea of checks and balances implies that the other branches may also exercise some other powers not implied by Montesquieu's separation of powers in order to make sure that one branch doesn't become too powerful.
Define the following concepts: democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritarianism, and the elitist theory.
Democratic theory: Theory that interprets what is meant by "government by the people."
Republicanism: A form of government in which power resides in the people and is exercised by their elected representatives.
Pluralist theory: A theory of democratic government in which government by the people is taken to mean government by the people operating through competing interest groups.
Majoritarianism: A theory of democratic government in which government by the people means government by the majority of the people.
Elitist theory: The view that a small group of people (a minority) actually makes most of the important government decisions.
Why did the Anti-Federalists fear the new governmental system?
They feared that it would usurp the states and individuals of their sovereignty and liberty.
Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
I would like to think that it strengthens separation of powers because it separates powers into even more branches of government: state and local branches.
What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution?
More authority over programs which were once federal programs. For example, new federalism involves a shift from categorical grants to block grants, giving states more control over what they can spend federal money on.
What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
Assuming that state and local governments operate under the same rules and principles as the federal government (which they should), then the federal government should have little to no influence. State and local governments know how things are in their particular area best; the federal government does not.
What is the purpose of government?
(1) To maintain order, protect every individual's life and private property.
(2) To provide public goods, or those benefits available to all of us that are not likely to be provided voluntarily by citizens.
(3) Most recently, government's purpose is to promote equality, socially and economically.
In short, government exists to promote and protect the interests of the governed.
What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic?
According to the Declaration of Independence, the purpose of government was to protect man's inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They also believed that citizens have the repsonsibility to uphold these unalienable rights by voting for representatives who will serve the public interest and to alter or overthrow the government when a threat to any of those rights appears.
Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
Yes; when one of our inalienable rights, such as the right to life, is threatened, our elected representatives still strive to protect them. For example, our elected representatives are currently trying to protect the lives of as man Americans as possible by implementing new health care legislation. Many of us still vote for the representatives who we think we will protect our interests best. For example, most of the Hispanic population in America voted for Obama, as he promised to reform immigration laws, among other things.
How does the constitution underpin U.S. government?
It establishes the reasons for the government, the goals of the government, and that the government derives its power from the people. In essence, the Constitution establishes the principles under which the U.S. government operates.
Why was the concept of “checks and balances” a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
Prior to the American revolution, the colonists were subject to any and all abuses under the British monarch, who exercised control in all aspects without any limit on that power.
How does Madison’s concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers?
Montesquieu's theory of separation of powers means that certain powers belong to only certain branches of government. However, Madison's idea of checks and balances implies that the other branches may also exercise some other powers not implied by Montesquieu's separation of powers in order to make sure that one branch doesn't become too powerful.
Define the following concepts: democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritarianism, and the elitist theory.
Democratic theory: Theory that interprets what is meant by "government by the people."
Republicanism: A form of government in which power resides in the people and is exercised by their elected representatives.
Pluralist theory: A theory of democratic government in which government by the people is taken to mean government by the people operating through competing interest groups.
Majoritarianism: A theory of democratic government in which government by the people means government by the majority of the people.
Elitist theory: The view that a small group of people (a minority) actually makes most of the important government decisions.
Why did the Anti-Federalists fear the new governmental system?
They feared that it would usurp the states and individuals of their sovereignty and liberty.
Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
I would like to think that it strengthens separation of powers because it separates powers into even more branches of government: state and local branches.
What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution?
More authority over programs which were once federal programs. For example, new federalism involves a shift from categorical grants to block grants, giving states more control over what they can spend federal money on.
What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
Assuming that state and local governments operate under the same rules and principles as the federal government (which they should), then the federal government should have little to no influence. State and local governments know how things are in their particular area best; the federal government does not.