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PSCI 1101 6 Sept 2007

PSCI 1101 6 Sept 2007. Principles of American government, cont’d > Constitutionalism 2. The U.S. Constitutional Foundation. Constitutionalism. The political principle of limited government under a contract (a constitution). Functions of a Constitution. Outlines organizational structure

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PSCI 1101 6 Sept 2007

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  1. PSCI 11016 Sept 2007 Principles of American government, cont’d > Constitutionalism 2. The U.S. Constitutional Foundation

  2. Constitutionalism The political principle of limited government under a contract (a constitution).

  3. Functions of a Constitution • Outlines organizational structure • Defines powers of governmental institutions • Identifies basic governing principles • Proclaims the rights of citizens

  4. The U.S. Constitutional Foundation

  5. The U.S. Constitution: sets out a framework for governing identifies important principles was shaped by politics

  6. The essential role of politics in Constitutional history: The Constitution was political in its very conception because its purpose was to address a political crisis and its ratification was constrained by more politics.

  7. What was the political crisis of the constitutional convention? • A crisis of governance; there was insufficient power in a “league of friends.”

  8. Problems facing the new nation under the Articles of Confederation • Financial problems • Commerce, particularly world trade • Diplomacy • Other issues: taxation, restraining state governments, military, etc.

  9. Summary of the Confederation Congress ITEM Articles of Confederation General structure unicameral; one vote per state Apportionment states allowed 1-7 members, but only one vote per state Terms of office one year term, three year limit Mode of election elected, paid and recallable by state legislatures Internal structure no provisions

  10. Specific Problems withthe Articles of Confederation • Representation Weaknesses • Weak link between government and citizens • Coequal ambassadors from independent states • Lawmaking Weaknesses • Few rules to guide deliberations • Few rules regarding internal structure • No independent committees

  11. Key question of debate over representation:Was this to be a national government representing a national citizenry (representation of population),or was it to be a federal government representing sovereign states (representation of states)?

  12. Article I, Sections 1, 2 and 3 Solving the national versus federal debate: Who wanted what?

  13. Debate over two structural elements of government : 1. Representation • Small states wanted representation of states • Large states wanted representation of population 2. Power of national government • Greater power (don’t trust popularly elected state legislatures) • Lesser power; states control most business

  14. The Connecticut or Great Compromise Bicameral representation with different methods of representation in the two chambers: • The Senate embraces the federal interests: each state equal with two Senators • The House represents the citizens in national government: representatives assigned according to population

  15. Article I, Sec. 2U.S. Constitution “The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one Representative.”

  16. Article I, Sec. 2U.S. Constitution“The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one Representative.” COMPUTING APPORTIONMENT U.S. Census Bureau http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/apportionment/computing.html

  17. Apportionment, 2000 Census Total apportionment pop: 281,424,177 Number of apportioned reps: 435 Average pop per rep: 646,952 High: Montana, 1 rep for 905,316 Low: Wyoming, 1 rep for 495,304 Colorado: Total pop: 4,311,882 7 reps, ~ 615,983 each

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