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Constitutional Underpinnings and Federalism
The Influence of the European Enlightenment Every social, economic, and political
problem could be solved through reason The Social Contract
John Locke State of Nature Natural Rights Consent of the Governed Social Contract
Theoretical Perspectives Democratic Theory
Authoritarian Regimes Democracy
Direct (can lead to majoritarianism) Representative a.k.a. indirect democracy
Elite Theory Pluralist Theory
Pluralism Hyperpluralism
The Constitution Popular Sovereignty Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Limited Government Federalism
Background to the Convention Articles of Confederation Shay’s Rebellion
Constitutional Convention Agreements and Compromises
Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan Great Compromise 3/5 Compromise Electoral College
Amending the Constitution Proposal by 2/3 of states or BOTH houses of
Congress Ratification by 3/4 of state legislatures or state
conventions
Informal Changes to the Constitution Legislature Executive Branch Judicial Branch
Federalists v. Anti-Federalists Federalist Papers
#10—factions #51—separation of powers #78—power of the judiciary
Bill of Rights
Governmental Systems Unitary (China, France, Britain) Confederation (Articles of Confederation) Federal system (U.S. and Canada)
Historic Development of Federalism Delegated Powers
War Regulate Commerce Tax and Spend Concurrent Powers Reserved Powers Prohibited Powers
The Necessary and Proper debate Loose interpretation—Alexander
Hamilton Strict interpretation—Thomas Jefferson McCulloch v. Maryland
The Commerce Clause Gibbons v. Ogden
Defined commerce as all business dealings Civil Rights Reining in the commerce power
U.S. v. Lopez
Two Types of Federalism Dual Federalism Cooperative Federalism
The Politics of Modern Federalism Grants in aid system
Categorical grants Block grants
Mandates
Advantages of Federalism Mobilization of political activity Interest groups cannot easily take over
the gov’t Diversity of policies among states
encourages experimentation and creativity
Diverse policies among states are good because uniform laws don’t make sense in many areas
Disadvantages of Federalism Confusion of political activity Small, but motivated interest groups can
block the will of the majority for extended periods of time
Diversity of policies among states creates inequality
**An individual’s attitude about federalism depends on how much she values equality v. freedom**
The Devolution Revolution Welfare Reform Act of 1996