POS 2041                                                                      Byrnes

U.S. Constitution

After reading the U.S. Constitution write down any questions that you have about the constitution.

Notes on the Constitution

Explain the philosophy of human nature that the writers of the Constitution had.  Explain how this was manifested in the saying “self-interest would be used to check self-interest.” 

Explain the two broad separations of powers included in the U.S. Constitution. 

State the major power(s) that each branch has to check the other branches.

What is the major function of the executive branch, which is headed by the president? How does its structure complement its function?

What is the major function of the legislative branch or Congress? How does its structure complement its function?

The federal courts,  led by the Supreme Court, has two major functions. First, it is the interpreter of the Constitution. The federal courts have the final say regarding the meaning of the language in the Constitution. Within this power also it must interpret laws passed by Congress. Secondarily it is responsible for holding fair trials that protect the rights of citizens and at the same time allow the government to prosecute those who violate federal laws.  Explain judicial review.  

Explain in a general sense why the writer of the Constitution had to compromise on slavery and then mention the specifics that were written into the Constitution regarding African slaves.  

Explain the debate over voting requirements held at the Constitutional Convention and how this debate was settled.  

Explain the debate over representation of citizens and states that occurred at the Constitutional Convention and how his was resolved, including the gains won by the smaller states. 

Federalism

What is a federal system of government?  Explain the necessary elements and differentiate it from a unitary form.  Questions?

Explain the advantages of a federal system? Explain the advantages to a unitary system.

Describe the major powers of the U.S. federal government. What are its major taxes? Questions?

Describe the major powers and taxes of state governments in the USA. Questions?

Describe the major powers and taxes of county and city governments in the USA. Questions?

Explain the concept of shared governance. Give some examples. Questions?

Democracy

What did the Founding Fathers understand the word “democracy” to mean? What did they think of it?

What does the word “Republic” mean? Why did the founding father prefer this to a democracy? Questions?

Explain the antagonism between democracy and Capitalism (how can both interfere with the other). Questions?

Explain what a PAC is and how the Federal Elections Campaign Act failed to control their effects. Questions?

What is a 527 group? What do they do and how can they be dangerous to the election process? Questions?

Explain the one constant reality that makes it difficult to pass laws controlling the influence of money on politics.

Rights of Citizens

Explain what the Bill of Rights was designed to do and what it was not designed to do. Questions?

Broadly speaking what was the First Amendment designed to do? Why is this so important to a democracy? Questions?

Explain the preferred position doctrine. Questions?

Explain the ruling and the Supreme Court’s reasoning for the Barnette case. Questions?

Explain the ruling and the Supreme Court’s reasoning for the New York Times V. Sullivan case. Questions?

Explain the ruling and the Supreme Court’s reasoning for the Brandenburg V. Ohio case. Questions?

Explain the key part of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Brown V. Board of Education case. Make sure you explain the Court’s reasoning behind its decision. Questions?

Explain what affirmative action programs are and what they were designed to correct. Questions?

Explain the ruling and the Supreme Court’s reasoning for the Adarand case. Questions?