Define the following ,
* Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes was an English graduate, he wrote “{leviathan’} )1651), a governmental theory that states his views on man and citizens. Humans basically evil always at war with each other, man must surrender themselves to rulers in exchange for protection from their neighbors. Hobbes theorized a single ruler was needed for guaranteed ruler , a monarch was needed to restrain man’s beastly tendencies. HE argued in Leviathan that for civil peace and for a social contract and ruled by an absolute sovereign, a single ruler to guarantee the rights of the weal against the strong.
* john Locke
John Locke (1632-1704) English Oxford Graduate and lecturer in Aristotelian philosophy,
questioned his Puritan upbringing. He believed in individual rights and parliamentary reform. Locke
Wrote ‘Second Treatise on Civil Government’ (1689) – natural rights, support of social contract theory
(the view that the consent of the people is the only true basis of any sovereign’s right to rule). A
government exists, Locke argued, because individuals agree, through a contract, to form a government
to protect their rights under natural law. By agreeing to be governed, individuals agree to abide by
decisions made by majority vote in the resolution of disputes. Locke took the basic survival of humanity
for granted.
* mayflower compact
The Mayflower Compact was a form of social contract. Virginia House of Burgesses
(1619) – first representative assembly in North America; objected to taxation without
representation.
* Virginia plan
James Madison drafted and Edmund Randolph introduced the Virginia Plan – producing the first
General structure or plan for the Constitution. A powerful central government with three branches
– Legislative, Executive, and Judicial (in that order). A bicameral legislature –
House of Representatives elected by the people and the Senate selected by state legislatures.
The Congress selecting the executive and judiciary.
* three fifths compromise
Stipulated that each slave was to be counted as three fifths of a person for purposes of feterming population for representation in the U.S House of Representation.
* Supremacy Clause
Article VI Supremacy Clause–National Law supersedes(is supreme to)all other laws
passed by statesor by any other subdivision of government –
No religious test shall be required for holding any office strengthening Separation of Church
and State under the First Amendment
* Full Faith and Credit Clause
Article IV Section 1 Full Faith and Credit Clause– states must honor laws, public records,
and judicial proceedings of other states. Section 2 Privileges and Immunities Clause.
Section 3 Admissionto theUnion Clauseor ‘New States Clause’.
* Bill of rights
Specific protections of personnel rights and many safeguards for those accused of crimes.
* Implied Powers
* Necessary and Proper Clause
Article 1 section 8 , gives congress the authority to pass all laws “nessacry and proper” to carry out the enumerated powers specified specified in the constitution.
* Enumerated Powers
Granted Powers to congress under article 1 section 8, including taxation, coinage of money, regulation of commerce and providing for national defense.
* McCulloch V Maryland ( 1819)
National government under the doctrine of implied powers has the right to establish a National Bank. States have no power to tax the national government . This allowed a broad interpretation of the “necessary and proper clause.”
* Barron V Baltimore (1833)
Bill of Rights restricts only the power of the federal government not the state governments.
* Gibbons V Ogden ( 1824)
Upheld congressional power to regulate interstate commerce; congress’ power is limited by the constitution
* Dried Scott V Sanford (1857)
Declared the Missouri comprise unconstitutional, congress lacked the authority to ban slavery , ruling Dre’s Scott and slaves were not U.S citizens but property.
NOTE: Note in defining cases give the ruling or holding of the Court. And for the Bill Of rights it is more than stating “the First Ten Amendments.” The question is what does it guarantee.
2. Answer the essay prompts fully and completely
A.Compare and contrast cooperative federalism with progressive federalism What were President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Barack Obama’s approaches to federalism, explain and give examples to support your response. (RITA AND RHODA)
Cooperative federalism and progressive federalism both involve the national and state governments working together. In both systems, the federal government sets goals or provides money, and the states help carry out the programs. President Franklin D. Roosevelt used cooperative federalism during the Great Depression with the New Deal, where states helped run federal programs like Social Security and the WPA. President Barack Obama used progressive federalism with the Affordable Care Act, giving states a role in creating health insurance systems. Both presidents believed that state and federal governments should work as partners to solve big national problems. These two types of federalism show how teamwork between different levels of government can help the country.
Cooperative federalism is a system in which the national and state governments work together as a team to accomplish tasks. It began with President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the New Deal era of the 1930s. He passed programs like Social Security and public job programs to help the country during the Great Depression. The states helped carry them out, but the federal government took the lead.
Progressive federalism, which emerged more prominently under President Barack Obama, involves the national government setting ambitious goals while allowing states to experiment with various approaches to meet them. For example, with the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), states could run their own healthcare exchanges if they wanted, as long as they met the federal rules. Obama’s approach gave states more flexibility while still pushing national goals.
FDR used teamwork with strong federal control, while Obama gave states more options to try things their way.
B.Discuss fully the methods of proposing and ratifying and amendment to the United States Constitution. Discuss the informal method of amending the Constitution/ (JOCY)
C. Explain in full reasons the reasons that American colonies declared independence from Great Britain. (Stefani)
The American Revolution, in the 1776 Declaration of Independence, resulted from a combination of economic grievances and ideological shifts. Economically, Britain's heavy taxation following the French and Indian War, levied without colonial representation ("no taxation without representation"), severely strained relations. This, coupled with increasingly restrictive trade policies and limitations on colonial expansion, eroded colonial autonomy and fueled resentment. Concurrently, Enlightenment ideals of natural rights and popular sovereignty provided the philosophical justification for rebellion. British actions perceived as unjust, including military occupation and punitive measures like the Boston Port Act, further inflamed tensions. Thomas Paine's *Common Sense* provided crucial ideological support, culminating in the formal declaration and the birth of a nation founded on liberty and self-determination. In short, the Declaration was a response to both tangible economic oppression and the burgeoning belief in self-governance.
3. Answer essay prompts fully and completely.
A.. Fully explain the organization and leadership of congress. Include the duties of each house/chamber ( house of representatives and senate) committee membership, committee chairs, and running for the office. (RHODA)
Congress is composed of two branches: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House has 435 members, based on state population, while the Senate has 100 members (two per state). The House deals with tax and money bills first and can vote to impeach. The Senate approves treaties and presidential picks and runs impeachment trials. Both chambers have committees where most of the work happens. Committees focus on topics like health, military, or education. Each one has a chairperson (also known as a committee leader) who runs the meetings and decides which bills will be discussed. Chairs are usually from the majority party and have seniority. To run for Congress, you have to be at least 25 for the House and 30 for the Senate. You need to live in the state (and district for the House), campaign, and win votes in an election. If you win, you help make the country’s laws.
B. Describe and explain “How a bill becomes a law” and the “modern Day” method of bill making. (STEFANI )
The process of transforming a bill into law involves a multi-stage journey designed to ensure comprehensive review and debate. Traditionally, a bill's life begins with its introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debate, and potential amendment. Passage in one chamber sends it to the other for the same process, with any discrepancies resolved in a conference committee. Finally, the executive branch (president or governor) either signs the bill into law or vetoes it; a legislative supermajority can override a veto. Modern legislative processes leverage technology to enhance transparency and efficiency. Digital platforms allow real-time tracking of bills, while online hearings and forums facilitate public engagement and expert input. Data analytics assist in impact assessment, and collaborative software streamlines communication among stakeholders, accelerating the process. While the fundamental steps remain unchanged, technology has modernized the process, making it more open, accessible, and inclusive.
C. What is the relationship between congress and the president in domestic and foreign policy? Explain, discuss the impeachment process and give examples. Explain the limits of presidential powers, include the war POwers resoulutin act 1973 , United States V Nixon (1974) and Clinton V city of New York (1998) ( Rita )
D. Discuss the administrative procedures act of 1947. Explain the congressional , presidential, and judicial control over agencies. What do the president congress and the judiciary have the authority to do as a check and balance over agencies. ( JOCY)
The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) of 1946 (not 1947) is a foundational statute in United States administrative law. It governs the process by which federal administrative agencies propose and establish regulations and ensures fairness in agency rulemaking and adjudication. The APA was enacted to bring uniformity, transparency, and accountability to the actions of federal agencies and to provide mechanisms for judicial review of agency actions.