American Government: Constitutional History and Federalism

The Road to the Constitutional Convention of 1787

• Major political and historical developments that led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 included:
  • Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
  • Shays' Rebellion
  • Nationalist sentiment
  • Economic instability

Federalism and National Power

• Federalism is a system of government that divides power between a central authority and smaller units (states, provinces, etc.)
• Federalism limits national power by:
  • Distributing authority among multiple levels of government
  • Ensuring that power is not concentrated in one entity
• Evolution of federalism in the United States:
  • From the Founding to the twentieth century, federalism oscillated between national and state-centric approaches
  • Shift towards increased national power since 1937

The US Constitution

• Major provisions of the US Constitution:
  • Separation of powers
  • Checks and balances
  • System of federalism
  • Representative democracy
  • Protection of individual rights

Balancing Representation and Governance

• The framers attempted to balance representation with effective governance by:
  • Creating a bicameral legislature
  • Establishing a system of checks and balances
  • Ensuring that power is distributed among multiple branches of government

The Amendment Process

• The amendment process allows the Constitution to evolve over time by:
  • Providing a mechanism for change
  • Ensuring that the Constitution remains relevant and adaptable

The Bill of Rights

• Origins of the Bill of Rights:
  • Response to anti-Federalist concerns about individual rights
  • First 10 amendments to the Constitution
• Purpose of the Bill of Rights:
  • Protect citizens from improper governmental actions
  • Ensure individual liberties and freedoms

The Fourteenth Amendment and Nationalization of the Bill of Rights

• The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) nationalized the Bill of Rights by:
  • Extending federal protections to state citizens
  • Ensuring that states cannot infringe on individual rights

Precedent and Interpretation

• Precedent and interpretation continue to shape the Bill of Rights by:
  • Informing judicial decisions
  • Evolving the understanding of individual rights

Civil Rights and Collective Action

• Civil rights relate to collective action in the United States by:
  • Ensuring equal protection and opportunities for all citizens
  • Facilitating social and political change through collective action

The US Congress

• Diverse views and interests represented in Congress:
  • Geographic, ideological, and demographic differences
• Organization of the US Congress:
  • Bicameral legislature with Senate and House of Representatives
  • Committee system and leadership structures

The Presidency

• Constitutional origins and powers of the presidency:
  • Established in Article II of the Constitution
  • Includes executive, legislative, and judicial powers
• Formal and informal resources of the presidency:
  • Executive powers, such as veto authority and executive orders
  • Informal powers, such as persuasion and negotiation

Bureaucracies and Effective Governance

• Bureaucracies facilitate effective governance by:
  • Implementing laws and policies
  • Establishing rules and regulations
  • Settling disputes and providing public services

The Executive Branch

• Structure of the executive branch:
  • Includes executive departments and agencies
  • Organized to facilitate implementation of laws and policies

The Judiciary

• Organization of America's courts:
  • Hierarchical system with Supreme Court at the apex
  • Includes federal and state courts
• Role of judges in shaping public policy:
  • Interpreting laws and the Constitution
  • Establishing precedents and influencing policy decisions

Common Law and Precedents

• Common law and precedents shape judicial decisions by:
  • Providing a framework for legal interpretation
  • Informing judicial rulings and opinions

Judicial Review

• Significance of judicial review:
  • Ensures that laws are consistent with the Constitution
  • Provides a check on legislative and executive power

Public Opinion and Elections

• Public opinion can be understood at:
  • Aggregate level (collective attitudes and opinions)
  • Individual level (personal attitudes and beliefs)
• Elections in the United States function as:
  • Formal institutions for making collective decisions
  • Mechanisms for holding elected officials accountable

Explore the key events leading to the Constitutional Convention, federalism, and its evolution in the United States. Understand how the Constitution balances representation and national power.