Chapter 2- The Constitution Flashcards
Describe the ideas behind the American revolution and the role in shaping the constitution
The American revolution was built on the foundation of belief in natural rights, consent of the governed, limited government, the responsibility of government to protect private property, and the equality of citizens. The constitution reflects all of these ideas
Analyze how the weaknesses of the articles of confederation led to its failure
The articles of confederation established a government dominated by the states, without permanent executive or national judiciary. A weak central government could not raise sufficient funds to support a national defense, regulate commerce to encourage trade, protect property rights, or take action without the unanimous consent of the states.
Describe the delegates to the constitutional convention and the core ideas they shared.
The framers of the constitution were more educated, wealthy, and urban than most Americans. They shared some core ideas, including that people were self-interested, that the distribution of wealth was the principle source of political conflict, that the main objective of government was protecting private property, and that power should be set against power to balance government
Categorize the issues at the constitutional convention and outline the resolution reached on each type of issue
Conflicts over equality lead to the Connecticut compromise, the three fifths compromise on slavery, and the decision to leave the issue of voting rights to the states. The greatest inequality of all- that of slavery -was so contentious an issue that framers simply avoided addressing it.
Analyze how the components of the Madisonian system addresses the dilemma of reconciling majority rule with the protection of minority interests
The founders reconciled majority rule with minority interests by constraining both the majority rule and the minority. The Madisonian system did this primarily by dispersing power among separate branches of government, each with a somewhat different constituency, and giving them shared powers so that each branch could check the others
Compare and contrast the federalist and the anti-federalist in the terms of there background and there positions regarding government
Ratification of the constitution was not a forgone conclusion. The federalists, who were largely from the economic elite, supported a strong national government and preferred to insulate public officials from public opinion. Anti-federalists, largely from the middle class, supported a weaker national government and direct forms of democracy and they wanted a stronger protection of individual liberties
Explain how the constitution can be formally amended and how it changes informally
Constitutional change continues to shape and alter the letter and spirit of the Madisonian system. The formal amendment process, requiring supermajorities in both houses of congress and among the states, possesses a difficult hurdle to overcome. However, judicial interpretation, changing political practices, technology, and the increasing demands on policy makers have also changed the constitution
Assess whether the constitution establishes a majoritarian democracy and how it limits the scope of the government
The constitution did not create majoritarian democracy. Majorities don’t always rule in American. By protecting individual rights, and thus limiting the ability of officials to restrict them, the constitution limits the scope of government
Make a list of the major grievance of the colonists under British rule
Lack of direct representation
Taxed without consent
King abused them
Inciting the mercales Indian savages to make war on the colonists
Hay were the main components of John lockes political philosophy
Natural rights
Rights that are not dependent on government
Self evident rights and unalienable rights
Human nature
Mans natural state is war, and government is needed to control that
Political conflict
The main source of conflict is between wealthy man and poor man
Objectives to government
The governments obligation is to preserve individual rights
Nature of government
A good government is a balanced government
What were the three major issues at the constitutional convention and how were the resolved
Representation of states- Connecticut compromise
Slavery- all slave count as 3/5 of a person
Equality in voting- the states decide qualifications for voting
