U.S. Government Principles

Declaration of Independence

• Authored by Thomas Jefferson, it aimed to justify colonial rebellion against British rule.
• Influenced by John Locke's concept of natural rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
• Outlined grievances against King George III, justifying the colonies' independence.
• Serves as a foundational American democratic text and an inspiration for other independence movements globally.

Federalism

• Divides power between state and federal governments for a balanced authority structure.
• The U.S. Constitution allocates specific powers to Congress and reserves others for states, creating a system of checks and balances.
• Concurrent powers, such as taxation and law enforcement, are shared by both levels of government.
• The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states.
• Enables states to tailor laws to specific populations and needs, fostering diversity in governance.

Bicameral Legislature

• Established by the Connecticut Compromise to balance the interests of small and large states.
• The Senate provides equal representation per state (two senators each).
• The House of Representatives allocates seats based on population.
• Aims for balanced representation of populous and less populous states, promoting fairness and hindering hasty legislation.
• Crucial during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 for national unity.

Government Powers and Structure

Fiscal Policy

• Involves government spending and taxation decisions influencing economic activity.
• Governments can adjust spending and taxation to stimulate or control the economy.
• Historical examples like New Deal programs demonstrate fiscal policy's effectiveness.
• Policymakers must balance promoting growth with preventing inflation.
• Crucial for addressing economic crises and financial stability.

Executive and Legislative Branches

• Both U.S. Congress and Texas Legislature are bicameral (Senate and House of Representatives).
• The legislative process involves proposing, debating, and voting on bills.
• Specific qualifications exist for members of each legislative chamber.
  • House: 25 years old, 7 years a citizen, resident of represented state.
  • Senate: 30 years old, 9 years a citizen, resident of represented state.
• The amendment process requires a two-thirds majority in Congress and three-fourths ratification by state legislatures.
• Executive agencies, like OSHA and FDA, enforce laws and regulations.

Judicial Branch and Civil Rights

Judicial Review and Key Cases

• Judicial review allows courts to declare laws unconstitutional (established in Marbury v. Madison).
• Landmark cases like Texas v. Johnson affirmed free speech rights (ruling that states can't ban flag burning).
• Miranda v. Arizona established the need for police to inform suspects of their rights.
• The 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law.
• Judicial decisions reflect societal values and can lead to changes in law and policy.

Civil Rights and Interest Groups

• Civil rights laws (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act) protect individuals from discrimination.
• Interest groups (e.g., NRA, PETA) advocate for specific policies through lobbying and campaigns.
• Political participation (voting, discussions, support for causes) is essential for democracy.
• Political parties nominate candidates, inform the public, endorse policies, and act as watchdogs.
• The electoral process includes primaries, conventions, elections, and inaugurations.