Political Philosophers Overview

Thomas Hobbes

• Believed that people are inherently self-interested and driven by a desire for power
• Argued that a strong, absolute sovereign is necessary to maintain order and prevent chaos
• His most famous work is Leviathan

Baron de Montesquieu

• Advocated for the separation of powers among different branches of government
• Emphasized the importance of checks and balances to prevent tyranny
• His ideas influenced the framers of the US Constitution

John Locke

• Argued that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty, and property
• Believed that government should be based on consent of the governed
• His ideas on natural rights and limited government influenced the Declaration of Independence

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Believed in popular sovereignty and the idea that government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed
• Emphasized the importance of direct democracy and civic virtue
• Wrote The Social Contract, which argues for a society based on the general will of the people

Functions of government

• Establishing a framework for order and security: laws and institutions
• Providing public goods and services: infrastructure, education, healthcare, etc.
• Protecting individual rights: freedoms and liberties
• Regulating the economy: promoting economic growth and stability
• Socializing citizens: fostering shared values and norms

Traditional Democratic Theory

• Majority Rule: Decisions are made by the majority of the people.
• Minority Rights: Protects the rights of individuals that are not part of the majority.
• Free and Fair Elections: Regular, competitive elections that give citizens a genuine choice.
• Equality in Voting: Everyone has equal political power, i.e., one person, one vote.
• Citizen Participation: People actively engage in politics, debate, and government.

Contemporary Theories of American Democracy

Pluralism

• Political power is widely distributed amongst various groups, organizations, and interests
• Competition among groups leads to compromise and policy moderation
• Example: Interest groups like the NRA, environmental groups, and labor unions

Elitism

• Political power is concentrated in the hands of a small, wealthy, and powerful elite
• This elite exerts influence through money, social connections, and control of key institutions
• Often linked to the idea that the rich and powerful control the government

Participatory

• Government should be responsive to the direct participation of citizens
• Encourages citizen involvement in policymaking, activism, and mobilization
• Examples: Referendums, initiatives, and protests

Articles of Confederation

• Weak central government, with most power reserved for individual states
• Lacked a standing army and national currency
• Couldn't effectively regulate commerce between states
• This weakness hindered the government's ability to address national challenges

Shay's Rebellion

• Demonstrated the weakness of the Articles of Confederation
• An uprising of farmers in Massachusetts protesting foreclosures and high taxes
• It led to the realization that a stronger national government was needed to enforce laws and maintain order

Brutus 1

• Argued against the proposed Constitution, fearing it would lead to a strong national government and erode states' rights.
• Believed that a large republic was too unwieldy to effectively represent the interests of all citizens

The Constitutional Convention

• A gathering of delegates from all thirteen original states
• The delegates aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately created a new framework of government
• Compromises were made to address issues like representation in Congress and the balance of power between states and the federal government

The Outcome

• The US Constitution was drafted, establishing a federal system of government
• The Constitution divided powers between the national and state governments and established three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
• The Constitution outlined fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, religion, and assembly

Virginia Plan

• Proposed a strong national government with a bicameral legislature based on population
• Favored larger states, which had more people

New Jersey Plan

• Proposed a weaker national government with a unicameral legislature where each state had equal representation
• Favored smaller states, which feared being overshadowed by larger ones

Presidential Veto

• The President may reject a bill passed by Congress
• Congress can override this veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses

Amending the Constitution

• • Proposal: An amendment can be proposed by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by a national convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the states.
• • Ratification: An amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states through state legislatures or state conventions.

Federalism

• A system of government where power is divided between a national government and regional governments (in the US, states)
• Each level of government has its own areas of authority and responsibility

10th Amendment

• Defines the balance of power between the federal government and the states
• States that any powers not specifically delegated to the federal government, nor denied to the states, are reserved to those respective states.
• Essential for understanding the division of powers in the US federal system

Commerce Power

• The power of the federal government to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations
• This power is significant because it allows the national government to address economic issues and regulate trade practices that might affect the entire country

Enumerated Powers

• Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution, such as the power to declare war, coin money, and regulate interstate commerce
• These powers are explicitly listed in the Constitution, limiting the authority of the federal government

SCOTUS Cases

• • McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Established the principle of implied powers, which allows the federal government to exercise powers that are not explicitly listed in the Constitution if they are necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers; reinforced the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, establishing the federal government's authority over state laws; Implied powers are necessary for the federal government to function effectively.
• • United States v. Lopez (1995): Limited the scope of the Commerce Clause, ruling that Congress could not regulate the possession of firearms near schools based on the mere argument that gun violence has an effect on commerce; Congress can only regulate activities that have a substantial economic effect on interstate commerce; This case marked a shift in SCOTUS interpretation of the Commerce Clause, narrowing the reach of federal power.
• • Marbury v. Madison (1803): Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional; This case is considered foundational to the American legal system, as it gives the Court the power to check the actions of the other branches of government; Judicial review plays a crucial role in ensuring the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

Block Grants

• Federal grants given to states with broad discretion in how the funds are spent
• This grants have more flexibility compared to categorical grants
• The states are given more control over how the money is used

Project Grants

• Federal grants awarded to states or organizations based on competitive applications
• These grants require proposals and compete with other applicants for funding
• Provides opportunities for specific projects and initiatives

Formula Grants

• Federal grants allocated according to a predetermined formula based on a specific criteria
• This allows for automatic allocation of funds, often based on factors like population or need
• Example: Funding for public education programs

Devolution

• The transfer of power from the federal government to state and local governments
• Often seen as a way to reduce the role of the federal government and give more autonomy to states
• This can affect how programs are delivered and how funding is allocated