American Government: Foundations and Principles

• Government is an entity which creates and enforces laws to maintain order, provide public services, and ensure national security, including different forms such as democracy, monarchy, and oligarchy.
• Elitism occurs when a small group of wealthy or powerful individuals control a government.
• Pluralism occurs when multiple competing groups influence government decisions.
• Policy decisions often involve compromises between competing interests, with civic participation, like voting, protests, or lobbying, is crucial in a democratic system.
• Barriers like voter suppression and political apathy can limit civic engagement.

Pre-Revolutionary Period and American Political Traditions

• The American political system was influenced by Enlightenment ideas, like John Locke's natural rights.
• British policies, such as taxation without representation, led to revolutionary sentiment.

Articles of Confederation

• The first U.S. governing document was in place from 1781-1789.
• This document established a weak central government that could not impose taxes or regulate trade.

Development of the Constitution

• The Constitutional Convention in 1787 replaced the Articles with a stronger framework.
• Key compromises included the Great Compromise which stipulated there would be a bicameral legislature with the House was based on population, and the Senate with equal representation.
• Another compromise was the Three-Fifths Compromise: in which Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation.

Ratification and Constitutional Change

• Federalists supported a strong central government, and Anti-Federalists wanted states' rights.
• The Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments) was added to secure individual liberties.

American Federalism

• There is a division of powers, split into Enumerated, Reserved, and Concurrent.
• Enumerated Powers: are the federal government's powers, like coining money and declaring war.
• Reserved Powers: are state powers, such as education or local law enforcement.
• Concurrent Powers: are shared powers, such as taxation or law enforcement.

Evolution of Federalism

• Dual Federalism (Layer Cake): has state and federal governments operated independently.
• Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake): has shared responsibilities, especially post-Great Depression.
• Intergovernmental Relationships include states interacting with federal agencies through grants and mandates.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Federalism

• Advantages include local decision-making and promotes innovation.
• Disadvantages include inequality between states and conflicts over national vs. state authority.

Key Points from the Constitution

• The Preamble establishes the goals of the U.S. Constitution (justice, liberty, defense, welfare).
• Article I covers the Legislative branch (Congress).
• Article II covers the Executive branch (President).
• Article III covers the Judicial branch (Supreme Court).
• Article IV-VII covers state relations, amendments, and federal supremacy.
• The Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments) protects freedoms like speech, religion, press, due process, and fair trials.

Overview of the foundations and principles of American government. Topics include the role of government, elitism and pluralism, and civic participation. Also covers pre-revolutionary influences and the Articles of Confederation.