1- What is the purpose of government?
To make and enforce laws to maintain order and ensure that we don't have anarchy. Citizens give up some freedoms to maintain peace and receive protection. Government also makes different treaties and also controls foreign trades and exports.
2- What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic?
The citizen would have the majority say on how they wanted to be governed and the government would prevent anarchy and protect the states as a whole. They also thought government should be based on John Locks "life, liberty, and property."
3- Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
Locks idea that "life.liberty, and property" are still protected by the government but the people are starting to have less say in the government as the government grows.
4- how does the constitution underpin U.S. government?
It explains the relationship between the state and federal government and says how they will work and how they will work together. the constitution is a guideline to the relationship between the national and state government.
5- Why was the concept of “checks and balances” a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
Because they didn't think that it would work that it was just some idea that they wanted but was so far-fetched that it didn't seem like it would be possible or function correctly.
6- How does Madison’s concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers?
Montesquieu theory of separation of powers was if you separate government in to three branches then government wouldn't be centralized and there would be no monarch. Madison's concept was the branches could still over power each other and they needed to check each other to ensure they wouldn't overpower each other.
7- Define the following concepts: democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritarianism, and the elitist theory.
Democratic theory- a political system that is governed by representatives elected by the people
Republicanism-rule by the people; best system of government
Pluralist theory- different groups or political parties may exist
Majoritarianism- 50% plus 1; the majority of the votes
Elitist theory- the elite or majority will have the most say and rule
8- Why did the Anti-Federalists fear the new governmental system?
They feared the new system because they knew it would grow and the bigger something gets the harder it is to control and the less control you have over something the more influence it has over the people and it becomes more corrupt. They also didn't want it to resemble a monarchy because they just got out of being controlled by a monarchy and they wanted states to have their own powers so they can govern themselves.
9- Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
this strengthens the concept of separation of powers because the the branches wont be able to overpower eachother beacuse checks and balances keep
10- What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution?
11- What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
Federal government should have the majority say in education that way the whole country is learning the same things and the state should control the funding for the schools. The federal government shouldn't have much influence over the states when it comes to abortion because its such a touchy subject states should decide for themselves on what they want to do. The national government needs to have more control over the environment because the federal government can make restrictions that apply to everyone and states con only do so much. States should have the control over affirmative action because each state is different and not every state needs jobs or the same jobs as every other state the federal government should just help supply funding.
To make and enforce laws to maintain order and ensure that we don't have anarchy. Citizens give up some freedoms to maintain peace and receive protection. Government also makes different treaties and also controls foreign trades and exports.
2- What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic?
The citizen would have the majority say on how they wanted to be governed and the government would prevent anarchy and protect the states as a whole. They also thought government should be based on John Locks "life, liberty, and property."
3- Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
Locks idea that "life.liberty, and property" are still protected by the government but the people are starting to have less say in the government as the government grows.
4- how does the constitution underpin U.S. government?
It explains the relationship between the state and federal government and says how they will work and how they will work together. the constitution is a guideline to the relationship between the national and state government.
5- Why was the concept of “checks and balances” a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
Because they didn't think that it would work that it was just some idea that they wanted but was so far-fetched that it didn't seem like it would be possible or function correctly.
6- How does Madison’s concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers?
Montesquieu theory of separation of powers was if you separate government in to three branches then government wouldn't be centralized and there would be no monarch. Madison's concept was the branches could still over power each other and they needed to check each other to ensure they wouldn't overpower each other.
7- Define the following concepts: democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritarianism, and the elitist theory.
Democratic theory- a political system that is governed by representatives elected by the people
Republicanism-rule by the people; best system of government
Pluralist theory- different groups or political parties may exist
Majoritarianism- 50% plus 1; the majority of the votes
Elitist theory- the elite or majority will have the most say and rule
8- Why did the Anti-Federalists fear the new governmental system?
They feared the new system because they knew it would grow and the bigger something gets the harder it is to control and the less control you have over something the more influence it has over the people and it becomes more corrupt. They also didn't want it to resemble a monarchy because they just got out of being controlled by a monarchy and they wanted states to have their own powers so they can govern themselves.
9- Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
this strengthens the concept of separation of powers because the the branches wont be able to overpower eachother beacuse checks and balances keep
10- What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution?
11- What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
Federal government should have the majority say in education that way the whole country is learning the same things and the state should control the funding for the schools. The federal government shouldn't have much influence over the states when it comes to abortion because its such a touchy subject states should decide for themselves on what they want to do. The national government needs to have more control over the environment because the federal government can make restrictions that apply to everyone and states con only do so much. States should have the control over affirmative action because each state is different and not every state needs jobs or the same jobs as every other state the federal government should just help supply funding.