Steven Tsay

AP US Gov
Outline #2
Aug. 23, 2015

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Political thinking: becoming an responsible citizen

Political thinking
Reflective thinking on what can reasonably be believed
a Conclusions may be different, but the process should be well informed
Modern media influence political thinking negatively
a Misinformation cause regular media consumers to have less awareness than
infrequent media users.
b Partisan shows result in biased viewpoint, followers that follow partisan media often
do not follow the other side, making them ignorant of opposition arguments,
invalidating them as ideal choice makers
c Spin of information by the white house. Ex Bushs Iraq and Al Qaeda affiliation
claim, Obama exaggerate positive effect of stimulus program
Idea democracy can only be achieved through well informed citizens. John Stuart Mill
promoted democracy based on its freedom for individuals.
Political science
Systematic process of analyzing political science
Tools: reliable information, systematic generalization, terms and concept that describe key
aspects
Frameworks: rational choice theory, institutional analysis
Political Culture
Widely shared and deep-sated belief of people about politics, help define relationship of citizen
and government
American poltical culture
a Alliance to ideals instead of kinship
b Individualism and equality(specific meaning undefined) , liberty, selfgovernment( people the ultimate source of authority)
i Failure to fulfill such ideals.
1 1900 lynching, black children twice as likely morality and poverty
2 1882 congress limit immigration Asians, removed 1965
ii Attempts to fulfill such ideals
1 1800 pioneer free public education. 30% more than France and UK
per pupil, expansive college systems, lowest rate of college still
higher than average European
Politics
Means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs
Harold Lasswell-who gets what , when, and how
Michel Foucault war by other means
a Power- ability of people to influence political developments
i Authority recognized right of officials to exercise power. Ex Obama
increase troops Afghanistan in 2009
Democracy- people rule
a Majoritarianism- respond to wish of the majority
i Constitution, rules to prevent majority reign. Ex Rhode island vote repay
creditor with useless paper money
1 Constitutionalism- lawful restriction of government power
2 Legal action- use of courts to assert rights and interests

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b Pluralism- special interest determines government interest

c Elite and class theory- upper social class dominates politics
Free marketa Corporate power- influence of firm with policymakers 2/3 lobbyist represent business
Public policy process- political interactions three stages
a 1.problem recognition 2. Policy formulation 3. Policy implementation
b Linkage institutions- means by which individuals can express preference regarding
public policies.
i Political Parties- formally participate in government and has a agenda of
issues
ii Media- seek to influence voters
iii interest groups- lobby for a specific issue, does not formally participate in
government

Role of government
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establishment of a more perfect union
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The establishment of justice
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The insurance of domestic integrity
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The promotion of general welfare
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The security of individual liberty

Constitutional Democracy
America during colonial period developed traditions (rooted in governing practices, political
theory, and cultural values) of limited government and representative government.
The constitution provides limited government by dividing lawful powers among competitive
institutions.
Original constitution provide for representative government through indirect method of electing
representatives
Popular government-majority desire have more impact- is gaining popularity
Constitution of the U.S-fundamental law that defines how a government will legitimately operate
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Bears resemblance to John Lockes Second Treatise of Civil Government and British common
law
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Structured into three basic segments 1) philosophical 2) grievances 3) statement of seperation
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Seek to create a limited government (legal limit of government power)and Representative
government ( people select representatives)
a Conflict of two ideas- limited government sometimes cut off representative
government when majority rule is illegal
b Federalist- strong national government, liberal interpretation of constitution,
Alexander Hamilton
c Democratic-Republicans- limited role of government( constructionist)- strict
interpretation of government, Thomas Jefferson
d Limited Government
i Originated form colonial rule. British colonists have self-regulation
legislative powers. British however, fail to uphold such arrangement impose
heavy tax, did not allow representation.
ii War caused by
1 Imposition taxes, Military occupation, No trail of local juries,
government forms

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John Locke- social contract, government should provide

inalienable rights(natural rights): life ,liberty , property
iii 1774 first continental congress discuss British, 1775 killed 8 colonist
During the revolution originally the constitution is Articles of Confederation
a Weak government, people not united and not a strong notion of American
unwilling to create a strong government since thats what Britain is
i National government no judiciary and no independent executive.
b Power in congress, each state 1 vote. Only pass laws if 9/13 agreed. Articles of
confederation can only be amended if each state agree
i Fund from states, inefficient, cannot regulate trade policies
c Can have a army, no power to draft, can declare war, make peace sign treaty, no
power to tax but can borrow money majority requires 2/3. States could pose tariff on
each other and create their own currency
Voting rights was originally left for the state to determine( property ownership lelve to meet the
state voting requirement) for congress and president
Elastic clause
Reserved power giving states power not delegated to national governemnt
Philadelphia constitutional convention 1788 law without New York and Virginia
a Subsequent of 6/13 Annapolis convention
b Virginia plan- criticized by smaller states
i Separate judicial, executive
ii Two chamber congress a\superior authority in all areas. Lower elected, upper
selected by lower from list of respective legislatures. more seat for large state
c New Jersey plan
i Single congress equal amount of vote regardless of size.
d compromises
i the great compromise: House of representative based on population, senate
equal amount of two senators
ii 3/5 compromise: Slave is 3/5 of a person for south to gain 50% of seats and
for north to tax
Anti-federalists- rule by elites, federalists( Madison and Hamilton) power to form unify and
strong government, separation of power ensure no reign of tyranny. Agrred to sigh based on
promise of future Bill of Rights
Goals to 1) strong government to unify defense and commerce 2) not threaten the concept of
separate states 3) not threaten liberty 4) support popular conscent
Affirms power of congress and denies power of monarchs like ex post facto laws and
imprisonment indefinitely on a whim. Makes it hard to amend with 2/3 majority congress or 2/3
convention by state legislatures, become law only if ratified by state legislatures or state
conventions
Separation of power- Madison federalist No. 10 groups use government in its interest at the
expense of others
a Checks and balances-separate but overlapping powers
i Shared legislative powers
1 President can veto congress legislations
2 Supreme court can declares congress laws void(judicial review),
interpret congress acts
a Tinker V des Moines reinforce concepts of amendment rights
3 Majority of lower and upper house for legislation to pass, thus they
can check each other
4 Congress can- collect tax, borrow money, regulate state commerce
with foreign countries, establish laws dealing with immigration and

naturalization of bankruptcies, coin money, make laws regarding

punishment of counterfeiting, establish post office, make copyright
law, establish federal courts, punish piracy, declare war, raise and
support army, and create national guard
5 Elastic Clause- congress can make all laws necessary and proper
for carrying into executions the foregoing powers
ii Shared Executive powers
1 Senate approve presidents treaties and appointment of high-ranking
officials .Congress can impeach or remove president. Congress
provides fund for president
2 Judicial review
3 President can act as commander in chief of armed forces, grant
pardons, treaties with consent of senate, appoint ambassadors,
judges, and other officials with approval of senate, sign or veto
legislation, state of union report, call special sessions of congress,
inherent power of president
a Cans submit temporary officials up to one year during
congress recess
4 Vice president- vote in senate if there is tie vote
iii Shared Judicial powers
1 Congress can impeach and remove judges, establish size of federal
court, restrict jurisdiction
2 President appoint judges with consent of senate, pardon people,
executing court decisions
b However, self-regulating bureaucracies after WWII gained prominence and has
ability to set regulatory guidelines like the EPA(Environmental Protection Agency
and FDA (Federal Drug Administration) ( sometimes interpreted as the forth branch
of government)
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Limited popular rule- prevent mob from making bad decisions
a Republic(institutions) vs. democracy( absolute popular power)( old terms)
b Senators appointed by elected state legislatures, thus less bending to public pressure
c President selected by the votes of electors( electoral college) each state have same
electoral votes as congress and select by method of its own choosing( usually
correlates to direct vote)
d Federal judge and justices appointed
e Challenges to such rule
i Jefferson & Jackson( urge electoral college to vote in accordance to popular
vote)
ii Change concept of representative form trustees to delegates
iii Citizen can recall elections, vote directly on legislative issues in local or state
level
iv Primary(party) election, select nominees
v Direct election of U.S senators
f 2012 legislation tightening voting control got ruled unconstitutional by the courts
Judicial review
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Concept was not guaranteed by constitution, rather acquired through the Marbury V.S Madison
when chief Justice John Marshall refused congress power of mandamus- force officials toa n
action, by saying the constitution prevents expansion of judicial power without amendments.