Exam Review
• Power is concentrated in the national, or
central government.
• The national government can create
regional governments:
– Have powers given to them by national government
• Advantage: promotes national unity
because all parts of the country must
follow the same laws.
• Power is divided between the national
government and the regional governments.
• The regional governments laws cannot go
against the national governments laws.
• Advantage: gives flexibility to regional
governments to meet its citizens needs
• Disadvantage: regions may have varying
laws, conflict could arise between the
• The regional governments hold most of the
power.
• The regional governments give the national
government only as much power as it needs
to maintain security and coordinate activity
among the regions.
• Advantage: allows regional governments to
unite while meeting local needs, limited the
national government-no authoritarian regime
• Disadvantage: weak national government
Monarchy: Rule by one hereditary
ruler
• Oldest form of government • Advantages:
– Efficient: the monarch makes decisions that are carried out-no political fighting
– Clear line of succession: people know who the next ruler will be – Loyalty to a ruling family can be a strong bond holding a nation
together • Disadvantages:
– Varying quality from generation to generation
Dictatorships: Rule by the One
powerful leader
•
Dictators take and hold power by force,
sometimes in a coup d’etat
– The sudden overthrow of a government during a time of political unrest or national emergency
•
Advantages:
– One leader can efficiently get things done
– Maintain peace and order
•
Disadvantage:
Theocracy: Rule by the few
religious leaders
•
Religious leaders form the government
•
Ancient city-states were commonly ruled by
theocracies
•
Advantages:
– Political and social unity
– Political decisions are in line with the people’s moral values and beliefs
•
Disadvantages:
Single-Party State: Rule by the
political elite
•
One political party governs
•
Leading members of the party have the power
– Usually those who have more power, wealth, or talent than the others
•
Advantage:
– Easy to pass laws because there is no opposition
•
Disadvantage:
Democracies
• Direct Democracy: rule by all citizens
• Parliamentary Democracy: voters elect
lawmakers to represent them in the
nation’s parliament
Thomas Hobbes
(1588-1679)
•
English Philosopher
•
Established idea of Social Contract Theory
–
Give up freedom for Security
•
People were too selfish to govern
themselves, needed a strong leader
•
Laid the groundwork for the idea that
John Locke
(1632-1704)
•
English Philosopher
•
Published Second Treatise on
Government
•
All people are equal and enjoy certain
rights (natural rights) based on being
human
Baron De Montesqieu
(1689-1755)
•
French Philosopher
•
Governments should be organized to keep
power from one group or person
•
Proposed 3 Branch system of Government
(Separation of Powers)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
(1712-1778)
• Swiss born French Philosopher
• Published The Social Contract
• Expanded idea of Social Contract Theory
– In order for government to have legitimacy it must be based on popular sovereignty (will of the
people)
• Government has the right to secure freedom for the people, if they do no they have no reason to exist
• Tremendous influence on Thomas Paine, Common
Constitutional Convention
Articles of Confederation
• Confederal system with Uni-cameral legislature
• No Chief Executive or Executive Branch
• No Federal Court System
• No law could be passed unless 9/13 states ratified
• No Article could be amended unless all 13 states ratified
Constitution
• Federal System with Bi-Cameral legislature
• House of Reps-population
• Senate-Equal representation
• Laws passed with
Congressional majority
• Constitution can be
Constitutional Convention
Anti-Federalists
• Jefferson, Henry
• Concerned
– National Govt. too powerful
– No Bill of Rights in Constitution
– National Govt. maintaining army in peacetime
– Congress granted too much power bc of elastic clause
– President too powerful (King George)
Federalists
• Madison, Hamilton, Jay
• 85 essays called Federalist Papers
– Essays answered questions of Anti-Federalists
– Washington calls for B of R in inaugural address
– Checks and Balances would protect against tyranny
Constitutional Convention
Virginia Plan
• Favored by Large States
• Bi-cameral Legislature
• All based on Population
New Jersey Plan
• Favored by Small States
• Uni-Cameral Legislature
• Equal Representation
Connecticut Compromise/Great Compromise/Sherman’s Plan
• Bi-Cameral Legislature
• Senate-Equal Rep
• House of Reps-Population
3/5th Compromise
Powers
•
Expressed Powers –
National Government Powers (coin money, post office, declare war, etc.)•
Concurrent Powers –
Shared between National and State Governments (collect taxes, establishcourts, borrow money, etc.)
More Power
•
Enumerated Powers – powers specifically
listed in the Constitution (taxes, money, war)
•
Implied Powers – not listed, legislature claims
as part of lawmaking responsibility
– Necessary and Proper/Elastic Clause – power of
Congress can be stretched to cover a variety of issues and circumstances
– Supremacy Clause – National law will always