Notes for AmGov | 08-31
08_31 AmGov Notes
There were some elements that were democratic. Trying to make a distinction between 18th century republicanism and democracy.
Basic Concepts
1. Democracy A system of rule by the people (or the many)
Two types: Direct democracy – public business is decided by all citizens meeting in small assemblies Best suited for small groups of people The ancient Greeks were direct democracy, New England town meeting
Representative (Indirect) Democracy – People work through elected representatives Like Remodeling – do the work yourself (direct) or contract it out (indirect). Direct democracy unworkable for a nation-state In the U.S. we have a representative democracy
Representative Democracy
1. Fundamental Principles
A. Popular Sovereignty, i.e., the people ultimately rule 1. The people elect (and can be) leaders (Inconceivable to the founding fathers)
2. Representatives are delegates, i.e., do what people want (as opposed to a “trustee” who does what he thinks is best, delegates do what the people want)
3. Free and fair elections
4. People participate (for the people to rule, they need to show up), Voter turnout has decreased. In the 19th century there would have been over 75%, now the biggest election brings out 50%, smaller elections in the single digits!
5. People have access to information (to make choices and responses) that attempts to be fair and gives both sides of the issue. Many times the information is not “fair and balanced.” Jefferson and Hamilton both hired newspapers to speak for them to the public. Many media outlets have strong bias.
6. Majority Rule.
A. Elections are determined through majority vote, policies are voted within elected bodies by majority rule
B. Political Equality – each person has equal weight in political/public affairs
1. Equal voting rights – Great irony is that so many people were restricted from voting but now the voting turnout has gone down
2. Equal protection of the laws C. Political liberty – people protected from government interference in regard to basic liberties, e.g. speech, press, religion, assembly, freedom from arbitrary/unjust detention/imprisonment, etc.
Equality and liberty can come into conflict with each other.
Modern Liberalism emphasizes equality, Modern Conservatism emphasizes liberty.
The Declaration of Independence was really political propaganda. None of it was legal. It took five years to finalize the laws that began the U.S.
The Articles of Confederation
1. A League of friendship (weak and wishy-washy) A loose alliance among the thirteen states, more voluntary and not centralized government
2. Each state retained its sovereignty, freedom and independence, kind of like a marriage where the parties decide that they can do whatever they want
3. Consisted basically of a Congress
4. Each state had one vote (key point)
5. 9 out of 13 states to pass a law (super majority)
6. Unanimous vote to amend any laws (100% majority)
7. No executive branch (Executive branch is best suited to respond to national emergencies) should provide leadership and focus because he/she sees the big picture
8. No judicial branch – Without a national court system all laws would be interpreted by each state individually which could lead to 13 interpretations.
9. No power to levy taxes. – It was supposed to collect taxes but had no ability to come to the states and compel them to pay.
10. No power to regulate commerce – could not tax imports from other countries or other taxes or limitations on trade, left up to individual states If you like state power, this is a good government, but the national government was restricted by these concepts, this would have lead to a government similar to Great Britain.
Problems of the 1780’s on Wednesday.