Michael Wetzel
1-17-07
Political Science 210
Professor Lubbers
Notes



What kind of democracy do we have?


Majoritarianism - the political theory holding theory holding that in a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want.

Elite Theory- A perspective holding that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power in their self-interest.

Pluralism - A Theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups. Political decision making is characterized by bargaining and compromise.

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Fundamental values -

Liberty versus order.
Economic equality versus the right to Property

Political culture -

Personal liberty - freedom from govermental interference or discrimination.
Equality - one person, one vote.
Popular consent - government gets its power from the people.
majority rule - minority rights
Popular sovereignty-



Political socialization -

The process by which you acquire your political ideas and attidues.

Mechanisms of socialization include:
the family
schools
organizations and
the media

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Ideology - A closely linked set of beliefs about the goal of politics and the most desirable political order.

Liberalism - advocates government action to improve the welfare of individuals, support for civil rights and tolerance for soclial change.

Conservatism - Advocates a limited role for the government in helping individuals and support for traditional values and life styles.

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Chapter 2
The constitution

The coloniual background

Jamestown - representative assembly

Plymouth - social contrac`t with consent of the governed

Selected milestone in the colonial/early american era

the stamp act
the first continental congress
the second continental congress
the revolutionary war
the declaration of independance
the ratification od the articles of confederation
shay's rebellion
the constiututional convention
the ratification of the U.S. constitution
the ratification od the bill of rights

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Important concepts of the Declaration of independence

Natural rights - the idea that individuals hold certain rights because they are human; governments can not take away these inalienable rights.
-Locke describes these rights as life liberty and the persuit of property
jefferson describes these rights as the life liberty and the persuit of happyness

Social Contract - a general agreement between the people and the government where the people agree with the

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Important concepts of the articles of confederation

-inicameral legislature:a legislature with only one legislative body
-confederation: a voluntary association of independent states.
-State: A group of people occupyinga specific area and organized under one government.

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Accomplishments and weaknesses of the articles of confederation

Accomplishments
-settled states claims to western lands
-passage of northwest ordinance (gave a basicpattern of government for new territories north of the ohio river.)
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Weaknesses
-couldnt make demands on states
-needed unanimous consent

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Chapter 2
Virginia Plan
(insert info here.)

The Jersey Plan
Articles of confederation retained
  One state, one vote

Congress could regulate trade and impose taxes

All acts of congress Supreme Law of the land
Several people elected by congress to form an executive office
executuve office would appoint a supreme court

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The Great Compromise

The great compromise - resulted in the bicarmeral legislature, with one house based on equal representation, the other on population.

The three-fifths Compromise - resulted in slaves being counted as 3/5 of a person for the purpose of determining population for representation in the U.S. House of representatives.

Supremacy doctrine - asserts priority of national law over states laws

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Seperation of Powers - dividing governmental powers

Legislative branch - is granted the power to make laws

judicial branch - is granted the power to judge laws

executive branch - is granted the power to administer the laws. some delegates favored a plural executive, but a single chief executive was decided upon.

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Ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Was supported by federalists, who argued in favor of the ratification and supported a strong central government

was opposed by the anti-federalists, who opposed a strong central government and argued for a bill of rights

The Bill of rights

The first 10 amendments to the constitution

Were adopted in 1791

Were designed to protect indiviuals from a too powerful national government

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Informal methods of amending the Constitution

Actions by congress and the president
  the congress uses the commerce Clause to pass laws

  President issues executive agreements

Judicial Review - the power of the supreme court to declare unconstitutional federal or state laws

interpretation, custom and usage

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