US Government: Theories, Engagement, and Influences

• A government is an institution that creates/enforces laws, provides public services, maintains order, and protects rights.
• Different types of governments include monarchies, oligarchies, direct democracies and representative democracies.
• Governments regulate public goods (national defense, clean air) and private goods (personal property).
• Elite Theory states that a small, wealthy elite controls the government.
• Pluralist Theory states that multiple groups compete to influence decisions.
• Policy decisions may involve compromises between different groups and interests.
• Democratic engagement encompasses voting, protests, lobbying, and general civic involvement.
• Political efficacy relates to individuals believing their actions can influence government.
• Barriers to engagement include voter suppression, political apathy, and not enough information.

Pre-Revolutionary Influences

• John Locke’s Natural Rights states that life, liberty, and property should be protected by the government.
• Social Contract Theory states governments derive power from the consent of the governed.

Articles of Confederation (1781-1789)

• The Articles were the first governing document of the U.S., producing a weak national government with no power to tax or regulate trade.
• The articles led to issues like Shay’s Rebellion, which highlighted the need for a stronger government.

Creating the Constitution (1787)

• The Great Compromise established a bicameral legislature, one house based on population (House), the other with equal representation (Senate).
• Enslaved people counted as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation due to the Three-Fifths Compromise.
• Separation of Powers divides government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
• Checks and Balances allows each branch to limit the power of the others like presidential veto or judicial review.

Ratification and the Bill of Rights

• Federalists supported a strong central government while Anti-Federalists wanted states’ rights.
• The first 10 Amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, protect each individual's liberties.

Federalism and the Division of Powers

• Federalism is a system where power is shared between national and state governments.
• Enumerated Powers are federal powers to coin money, declare war, and regulate trade.
• Reserved Powers are state powers over education and local law enforcement.
• Concurrent Powers are shared, covering taxation, law enforcement, and building roads.

Evolution of Federalism

• Dual Federalism (Layer Cake, 1789-1930s) defines clear separation of state and federal responsibilities.
• Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake, 1930s-present) defines overlapping responsibilities, with more federal involvement in state affairs like New Deal programs.
• New Federalism (1970s-present) saw some power return to states through block grants.
• Federalism encourages local decision-making, innovation, and political participation which are pros.
• Federalism can create inequality between states, conflict over national vs. state authority, inefficiencies which are cons.

Key Points from the Constitution Readings

• The Preamble establishes the goals of the U.S. government: justice, liberty, defense, welfare, and unity.
• Article I covers the Legislative Branch (Congress: House & Senate).
• Article II covers the Executive Branch (President & federal agencies).
• Article III covers the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court & lower courts).
• Article IV covers state relations and federalism principles.
• Article V covers the amendment process.
• Article VI, Supremacy Clause, federal law overrides state law.
• Article VII covers the ratification process.

Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments)

• 1st Amendment: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, petition.
• 2nd Amendment: The right to bear arms.
• 4th Amendment: Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
• 5th Amendment: Right to due process, no self-incrimination.
• 6th Amendment: Right to a fair trial
• 10th Amendment: Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states.

Explore the functions of government, including creating laws and providing services. Understand Elite and Pluralist Theories, as well as democratic engagement. Examine pre-revolutionary influences such as John Locke’s Natural Rights.