Unit 1
Foundations of
American
Democracy
Notes
Democratic Ideals
Natural Rights- God given rights
Popular Sovereignty – consent of the governed (people have the power)
Limited Government – All power from government is limited by constitution. If it
is not in the constitution they don’t have the power
Limited Government
Power separated into three branches
Checks and balances – Limited power of branches
Ex: veto, impeachment
Federalism – levels of government. Two or more governments sharing power over the
same group of people (federal (declare war), state (education), local)
Republicanism – we elect officials to make decisions for us in elected offices
Social Contract Theory
We give up some of our freedoms so out government can govern us and create laws for
our safety
If they go to far, we have power to dissolve government
John Locke – Life, Liberty, Property
Thomas Jefferson – Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness
Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson
Ideas gave from John Locke
27 Grievances
Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation
7 Articles of Constitution
Article 1: Legislative
Article 2: Executive
Article 3: Judicial
Fixed in Article 1
Lack of military fixed
inability to regulate trade
No power to tax or coin money fixed
Shay’s rebellion signaled to founding fathers that it is time to change the articles.
Showed weakness of articles and led to the creation of the constitution
U.S. Constitution
Drafted by James Madison
If power not said in constitution, power given to. States or people
Models of Democracy
PARTICIPATORY – democracy governed by all
PLURALIST – democracy governed by some
ELITE – democracy governemned by the top people (small group_
Participatory Government
Participatory/(Majoritarian) – people run the government.
True purpose of U.S government but not really true because we don’t pay
attention
Or the governor or legislator take into care of interest group NOT people
At the state level closet we come to participatory democracy and initiatives (adding) and
referendum (removing)
when we put stuff on the ballot
ex: no smoking in restaurants, legalizing marijuana
Pluralist Model
Government of some of the people (interest groups)
This is the type of democracy of what American actually is
Interest groups have money, members, organizations.
Interest groups have so much power and so officials are afraid of losing their jobs
All interest groups care about Is their one purpose and they always win because it is all
they care about
Elite theory
Elite – Military, Big oils
Example: Supreme court changed abortion laws – Nine people c hanged the lives of
every female in the United States
Review of the different democracies
Federalist View
Pro-constitution
Authors of Federalist papers: John Jay, Madison, Hamilton
85 papers
Federalist #10
Madison said factions will form because in a free society the way he gain power is
making friends and convincing them that your side is the best
Used to hate factions but Madison said the government will limit these factions
to make sure that every group is being heard
But lack of awareness not all people are heard, only interest groups are heard
Anti-Federalist View
Brutus No. 1 was all about that the government had too much power and we could not
trust them and they could abuse the states if they wanted.
Brutus No. 1
Supremacy clause – If state and federal get into argument, Federal government gets
their way.
Necessary and proper cause – allows the government to do what they wants as long as
it allows them to do something that stated in the constitution
Power to tax
Constitutional Compromises
Great Compromise
2 chambers:
1 based on population for larger states
1 based on equal votes for the smaller states.
Electoral College
To make sure people don’t put someone unqualified in office
Electoral College has never FIXED the outcome of election.
To win election you have to will the electoral votes, not popular votes. The individual
states is popular vote
Three-Fifth Compromise (Slavery)
Slaves = 3/5 of person for taxation and population
Bill of rights was added after the constitution was signed and created
Checks and Balances / Separation of Powers
Impeachment: House brings charges, Senate holds trial
Checks and balances is a type of separations of powers
Federalist #51
“Ambition must me made to counteract Ambition”
If one branch is too powerful the other can hold it accountable
Angels quote: If everyone acted for society’s best interest we would NOT need
government but that is not the case
Federalism Part 1
If the powers are not in constitutions, than the power belongs to state
Federalism Part 2
Block grant – gives you a lump of money and you can spend it the way you want.
Minimal restrictions
Category grant – Money gives for a specific policy or category
Courts and Federalism
Supremacy clause – Courts likely to rule in favor of federal government
Necessary and power- gives CONGRESS power
Commerce Clause – give CONGRESS power to regulate trade
Due Process and Equal Protections - 14th Amendment
Due Process – Civil Liberties (ex: freedom of speech)(protect individuals)
Equal Protection – Civil Rights (ex: segregation, gay marriage)(protect groups)
