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The Constitution. Constitution. Definition? A constitution is a nation’s basic law. It creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens. Sets the broad rules of the game
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Constitution • Definition? • A constitution is a nation’s basic law. It creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens. • Sets the broad rules of the game • The rules are not neutral; some participants and policy options have advantages over others. • What groups have advantages in the United States?
Origins of the Constitution • The English Heritage: The Power of Ideas • Natural rights: rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on government • Natural Law: liberties not based on generosity of the king but on a “higher law” • Consent of the governed: government derives its authority by sanction of the people • Limited Government: certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect natural rights of citizens • Revolt about liberty, not economics!
Natural Law • Rights, “…are born with us; exist with us; and cannot be taken away from us by any human power.” -John Dickinson-
Reading Check What fundamental ideas of the Constitution come from John Locke? List/describe three.
Locke on the state of nature and consent of the governed “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which treats everyone equally…Being equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, or possessions.” “We have reason to conclude that all peaceful beginnings of government have been laid in the consent of the people.”
Origins of the Constitution • The French Heritage: The Power of Ideas • Separation of Powers: the principle of dividing the powers of a government among different branches to guard against abuse of authority.
Montesquieu on Separation of Powers “When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner.”
Govt. gets its authority from the citizens. • A selfless, educated citizenry. • Elections should be frequent. • Govt. should guarantee individual rights & freedoms. • Govt.’s power should be limited [checks & balances]. • The need for a written Constitution. • “E Pluribus Unum.” [“Out of many, one”] Classical view of a model republic EnlightenmentThinking The“VirtuousRepublic” “City on a hill”[John Winthrop] Ideal citizen[Cincinnatus]
ASSIGNMENT- “Articles of Confederation: Strengths and Weaknesses” • With a partner, complete the handout called “Strengths and Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation” • NOTE: Do NOT complete the column called “Solution Found in the Constitution”…we will discuss in class.
The Articles of Confederation“a firm league of friendship” (Reading Check) Need to Know About the Articles: • Powers Congress lacked under the Articles • What changes taking place in the states under the Articles? • Madison’s take on factions. • The “Final Straw” for the Articles. Why? • Purpose of Annapolis meeting.
DISCUSSION • Who was excluded from the convention? • Implications of these exclusions? It did not reflect the needs of all Americans, but expressed the views of the signers who wanted to establish a stable and prosperous nation.
James Madison “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this; you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.” What principles of government can we derive from what Madison is saying here?
The Agenda in Philadelphia 3 Major Issues: • Equality Issues • Economic Issues • Individual Rights Issues
ASSIGNMENT #2 • Complete “A Plan of Action: Reviewing Compromises” using your textbook/reading guide. Be ready for a class discussion in appx. 15 minutes.
Equality Issues • Need to Know: • Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan • Connecticut Compromise • Problems and Solutions related to slavery and voting
The Individual Rights Issues • Some were written into the Constitution: • Prohibits suspension of writ of habeas corpus • No bills of attainder • No ex post facto laws • Religious qualifications for holding office prohibited • Strict rules of evidence for conviction of treason • Right to trial by jury in criminal cases • Some were not specified • Freedom of speech and expression • Rights of the accused
Look on page 48 & 49. List and describe (briefly) the 4 underlying principles of the Constitution
Principles • Limited Government • Separation of Powers • Checks and Balances • Federalism
ASSIGNMENT #3 • Complete “Separating the Powers: An Exercise in Three” with a partner
Discussion of “Separating the Powers: An Exercise in Three” • Whose powers are listed in: • Article I? • Article II? • Article III?
The Electoral College (Article II) “Winner take all” feature has many implications for Presidential races. • How affect campaigns? • Resource allocation • Issues (appeal to voter bloc in specific state) • Choice of a vice president
How affect third parties? • May get much popular vote, but if not a majority they cannot get electoral votes. • The fact that they may not win hampers their ability to raise money and gain other campaign resources.
Why has it not been abolished? • Helps ensure that a majority of electoral votes are earned by one candidate. • History/tradition • Would require a constitutional amendment • No clear consensus on an alternative • Collectively benefits small states • Racial minorities in some states like the electoral college because it protects their votes. • Collectively it benefits the large states • Competitive states like it • Favors a two-party system
Article IV: Federalism • This article more clearly defines the relationship between the states and the federal government. • It includes the “full faith and credit” clause, which states that an act or judicial proceeding of one state must be honored in all other states.
Article V: The Amendment Process • This article defines the process for making changes to the original Constitution. • The process is a clear depiction of federalism.
Article VI: The Supremacy Clause • This article clearly states that national law will be supreme over state law.
Article VII: Ratification Procedures • 9 of 13 colonies had to approve
Need to Know About Ratification Debates… • Federalist vs. Anti-Federalists (who were they?) • Federalist Papers (what were they and who write them?) • Bill of Rights
Ratifying the Constitution • Ratification • Lacking majority support, the Federalists specified that the Constitution be ratified by state conventions, not state legislatures. • Delaware first ratified the Constitution on December 7, 1787. • New Hampshire’s approval (the ninth state to ratify) made the Constitution official six months later.
ASSIGNMENT #4 • With a partner, complete the activity called “Amending the Constitution” and complete Parts A and B
The Constitution and the Amendment Process Methods of Proposal Methods of Ratification Usual Method Method 1 By 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate Method 1 By legislatures in ¾ of the states (38 states) [26 of 27 cases, this has been the method] Or Or Method 2 By national constitutional convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures [This method has never been used] Method 2 Ratified through conventions in ¾ of the states. [Only been used once to ratify the 21st Amendment]
Constitutional Change • The Informal Process of Constitutional Change • Judicial Interpretation • Marbury v. Madison (1803): judicial review • Changing Political Practice • Technology • Increasing Demands on Policymakers
