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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?
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