Social Studies: Constitution and Tyranny

Federalism

• Federalism divides power between national and state governments, preventing concentration of authority.
• National government manages taxation; state governments handle education, ensuring local control.

James Madison's Perspective

• Madison's quote emphasizes a system of double security where different governments counterbalance each other.
• This layered governance provides stability and reduces risks of tyranny.

Separation of Powers

• Powers are divided among three branches: legislative (makes laws), executive (enforces laws), and judicial (interprets laws).
• Each branch operates independently, preventing any single branch from gaining undue power.

Madison's View on Power Accumulation

• Madison warned against consolidating powers within one entity, labeling it as tyranny.
• Advocated for distinct separation of powers to safeguard liberty and prevent autocratic rule.

Checks and Balances

• Each government branch can limit the powers of others to prevent abuse.
• The legislative can override presidential vetoes, approve nominations, and impeach.

Role of the President

• The president influences the Supreme Court by appointing judges, impacting the judiciary's power.

Judicial Oversight

• The Supreme Court checks the Senate by declaring laws unconstitutional, maintaining judicial authority.

Safeguards Against Tyranny

• Framers designed a system where branches have enough power to limit one another, creating a balanced government.

Representation in Congress

• Bigger states favored the Virginia Plan for increased power based on population.
• Smaller states preferred the New Jersey Plan to ensure equal representation.

Representation Details

• Rhode Island and Delaware are the least represented, each with one House member.
• Virginia has the highest representation in the House at ten members, reflecting its larger population.

Determining Representation

• The number of representatives per state is based on population size, affecting legislative power dynamics.

Balancing Interests

• The conflict between big and small states reinforces checks against tyranny, ensuring all states have representation, thus promoting equitable governance.