Unit 1 Review
Chapter 1-3
Power and Authority
• Legitimate Authority: vested in?
Democratic Centralism
• Central Government decides what is in the best interests of its people.
• Example?
Participatory Democracy
• AKA Direct Democracy
• All participate… pure democracy– Mob rule in the eyes of the founders
Example?
Representative Democracy
• “republican form of government”
• Explain
Elite Views
• Weber: Bureaucracy
• Marx: economic factors (capitalists/bourgeoisie and workers/proletariats)
• C. Wright Mills: Power elite
• And the Pluralist view?
Liberty vs Equality
• American Revolution vs. the French Revolution
Federal-State Relationships
• Unitary
• Confederal
• Federal… Only federal if what?
Articles of Confederation
• Weaknesses?
Convention
• Goal
• Plans?
• Compromises (the two biggies?)– ?– ??
• Slavery? 1808?
• Why no Bill of Rights?
Ratification of Constitution
• Federalists vs Antifederalists– Madison’s arguments? Factions, Coalitions,
large republic?
• Key names?
• How did the Feds get the Antifeds to agree to ratify?
• Looking at current situation, did Antifeds have good reason to be concerned?
Key principles
• Separation of powers
• Limited Government
• Federal system: example? Electoral college, amendment process
• Limits on democracy: electoral college, Supreme Court, original election of Senate
• Powers: enumerated (delegated), implied and inherent.
Checks and Balances
• If pres. does not like action of Congress Veto
• If pres does not like action of Court be sure to appoint (if given the chance) individuals aligned with pres
• If Congress does not like president’s plans don’t pass his bill
• If Congress does not like Court’s decision introduce amendment.
• Court is passive, therefore it cannot reach out and grab cases… instead cases must be appealed to them.
• Line Item veto ruled unconstitutional… Why?
Elastic Language in the Const.
• Interstate vs. Intrastate Commerce…– Who are we kidding? The nat. gov. can
regulate virtually anything… see Gonzales v. Raich has the potential to cross state lines.
• Necessary and proper clause
Grants
• Block grants: who loves? Who hates?
• Categorical grants: who loves? Who hates?
• Revenue sharing (is dead today), but what was it?
• Condition of aid– Examples
Court Cases?
• Marshall court– Marbury v. Madison: est. Judicial Review– McCulloch v. Maryland: est. supremacy of
National Gov. over states
Mandates
• Do this NOW! = Mandate
• Do this NOW with no $$ = Unfunded Mandate