Essential Questions
1. What is the purpose of government?
-The purpose of government is to maintain order, provide public goods and promote equality in doing so the people surrender some freedom. They maintain order by providing and enforcing fair laws. They provide public goods by taxing the citizens and they promote equality when saying all men are created equal.
2. What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic?
The founders viewed government as a not all-powerful form of control. They put in checks and balances in order to keep each branch in check. And they intended for each law to be enforced by state governments, in order for the states to apply these laws the federalists added the Bill of Rights. The founders hoped they would be leading active citizens who would vote and pay taxes so the government could run smoothly.
• 3- Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
Yes, because our government is very active. Some saying it is too strong and controlling too much because the constitution doesn't specify their powers clear enough. However our government will stay active to reinforce democracy.
• 4- How does the constitution underpin U.S. government?
-The constitution gives limits to the government in order to keep them as strong as the people who they are governing. It gives them delegated powers, implied powers, inherent powers, concurrent powers and reserved powers.
• 5- Why was the concept of “checks and balances” a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
It was a novel idea in the 18th century because colonists were trying to break free from British rule, where the government abused its powers.
• 6- How does Madison’s concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers?
Checks and balances gave each branch certain powers and it limits the government where as separation of powers simply divided the government into 3 branches with few restrictions.
• 7- Define the following concepts: democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritarianism, and the elitist theory.
-Democratic Theory- Government depends on the consent of the governed, which may be given directly or through representatives
-Republicanism- Leaders elected by the people and create laws that benefit all of society rather than an elite group.
-Pluralist theory- Interest groups compete in the political arena, with each promoting its policy preferences through organized efforts.
-Majoitarianism- government represented by the majority of the people
- Elitist theory- A small number of powerful elite form an upper class, which rules in its own self interest.
• 8- Why did the Anti-Federalists fear the new governmental system?
-The anti-Federalists believed that the new constitution gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the state governments. Another objection was the lack of a Bill of Rights, ensuring fundamental liberties.
• 9- Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
-The new federal system of government strengthens the concept of separation of powers because it allows the government branches to share even more of the responsibilities with the states. Although the states may not like this it gives the national government time to handle other situations that can not be dealt with at the state level.
• 10- What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution?
- During late 20th century the national government attempted to implement a reversal of cooperative federalism and place more responsibility on the states about how grant money would be spent. The term devolution-a transfer of power to political subunits has been used to describe the goals of new federalism.
• 11- What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
-The federal government should give the states rights to handle those situations. However concerning education I think that all states should be on the same page because that will be important for the youths future. Affirmative action, abortion and the environment should all be handled as the local government feels necessary.