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Understanding American Government and Democracy

May 6, 2025

Lecture Notes: Overview of American Government and Democracy

Introduction

  • Review Sheet: Print out a free speed review sheet (link in description).
  • Tip: Circle cases/documents you don’t remember, check off once mastered.

Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

Key Ideals in Founding Documents

  • Declaration of Independence: Natural rights, social contract, popular sovereignty.
  • Constitution: Limited government, republicanism.
    • Note: Constitution established the US as a republic, not a democracy.

Types of Democracy

  • Participatory: Broad participation.
  • Pluralist: Group-based activism.
  • Elite: Limited role for most.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

  • Federalists: Pro-Constitution, stronger central government, opposed Bill of Rights.
  • Anti-Federalists: Pro-states’ rights, favored Bill of Rights.

Articles of Confederation

  • Weak central government (e.g., couldn’t tax or regulate commerce).
  • Shays’ Rebellion: Highlighted weaknesses, led to Constitutional Convention.

Constitutional Compromises

  • Great Compromise: Bicameral legislature.
  • Electoral College: Presidential selection.
  • 3/5 Compromise: Slave representation.
  • Slave Trade Compromise: Trade could be abolished after 20 years.
  • Article 5: Amendment process.

Principles of Government

  • Separation of Powers: Divides powers among branches.
  • Checks and Balances: Branches limit each other’s powers.
  • Federalist 51: Justification for these principles.

Federalism

  • Shift from dual to cooperative federalism.
  • Enumerated vs. Implied Powers: Explicitly stated vs. assumed powers.
  • Fiscal Federalism: Block vs. categorical grants.

Important Cases

  • McCulloch v. Maryland: Implied powers, states can’t tax federal government.
  • U.S. v. Lopez: Limited Congress’s use of the Commerce Clause.

Unit 2: Branches of Government

Congress

  • House: Based on population, more rules, 2-year terms.
  • Senate: Equal representation, less formal, 6-year terms.
  • Committees: Critical for lawmaking and oversight.

The Presidency

  • Powers: Formal (e.g., Commander in Chief) and informal (e.g., executive orders).
  • Checks: Senate confirmation for appointments.
  • Federalist 70: Argument for single executive.

The Judiciary

  • Judicial Review: Established by Marbury v. Madison.
  • Federalist 78: Independent judiciary.
  • Judicial Restraint vs. Activism: Different philosophies on court power.

The Bureaucracy

  • Roles: Implement policies, discretionary authority.
  • Congressional Oversight: Power of the purse, investigations.

Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Rights

Bill of Rights & Incorporation

  • Incorporation: Applying Bill of Rights to states via the 14th Amendment.

Key Amendments and Cases

  • 1st Amendment: Speech, religion (Establishment and Free Exercise clauses).
  • 4th Amendment: Search and seizure regulations.
  • Miranda Rule: Rights during arrest.
  • Gideon v. Wainwright: Right to attorney.
  • Roe v. Wade: Privacy and abortion rights.

Civil Rights

  • 14th Amendment: Equal protection clause.
  • Landmark Legislation: Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act, Title IX.
  • Brown v. Board: School desegregation.

Unit 4: Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Political Socialization

  • Influences include family, generational and lifecycle effects, major events.

Political Ideologies

  • Liberal vs. Conservative vs. Libertarian: Varied views on social and economic policies.
  • Fiscal Policy: Keynesian vs. Supply-side economics.

Unit 5: Political Participation

Voting and Elections

  • Voting Models: Rational choice, retrospective, prospective, party-line.
  • Elections: Processes and types (primaries, general).

Political Parties and Interest Groups

  • Role and Influence: Recruitment, support, and weakening factors.
  • Interest Groups: Lobbying and influence on policy.

Campaign Finance

  • Notable cases like Citizens United affect campaign spending.

Media

  • Role: Gatekeeper function, varied sources affect perception of news.

Conclusion

  • Encouragement for exam preparation and additional resources.

By reviewing and understanding these notes, students can better grasp the complexities of the U.S. government, its founding principles, and contemporary issues surrounding democracy and political participation.

Full transcript