Political Science 1100, Introduction to American Politics, August 27, 2007

The Constitution (continued)

7. How was the Constitution designed to work?

A. New National Powers to Fix the Immediate Problems that Threatened all the States
 

1) Congress (Article I, Section 8) can

B. Solving Madison's dilemma:
    
 

1) Apply republican Principles
 

• Citizen elect the directly elect the House of Representatives

 
• Separate National Government Powers
   

2) Separate national powers
     to make laws, to execute laws, and to judge disputes about the law.

 

 

3) Give the States Power to influence national policy
 
 

• Representation in the House is based on the states
  
   
• Each state has 2 Senators who represent the entire state 
  
   
• States choose electors who vote for president
  
   
• Amendments to the Constitution must be approved by 3/4 of the States

 

4) Make Each Branch Accountable To
    Different Constituents for Different Periods

• House Of Representatives:

Directly elected by voters / Two Year Terms
 
• Senate:
  (originally) elected by State Legislatures
  / Six Year Terms
 
• President:
  election by an "Electoral College"
/ Four Year term
 
• Federal Judges:
  Appointed by the president, approved by the Senate /
  Term: "good behavior" (as long as they like)
   
• Ambassadors, Top Administrators:

appointed by the president, approved by the Senate
 

5) Impeachment of Judges and Presidents

The House can "impeach," (or indict) the president and other leaders,

and the Senate then Holds a Trial
 

6) In 1791, the Bill Of Rights Limited Central Government Power

 

 

8. So How did the Constitution try to solve Madison's dilemma?

    It created a potentially strong government, but made it very hard to actually use it effectively

Federalism

1. "STATE'S RIGHTS" AS A POLITICAL WEAPON  (we covered 1A and 1B last time)

A. FOR SOUTHERN CONSERVATIVES IN THE 1950s

 

 "Jim Crow" laws

 

Desegregating "Ole Miss," 1962

 

B. FOR NORTHERN LIBERALS in the 2000s

     Global Warming Policy 

 

C. Same Sex Marriage, 2004

2. WHAT IS FEDERALISM?
 

In a federal political system, political authority is divided by a constitution between a central government and regional governments

    Examples: Canada, Australia, U.S.

 

(As Opposed To A Unitary System, Such As Britain Or France)

3. WHO CARES ABOUT FEDERALISM?
 

A. States Affect Everyone's Lives

 

4. FEDERALISM AND THE ECONOMY:
 

States' Battle Over "Business Climate"

 

 

The Economic Shift to the Sunbelt
 

5. FEDERALISM AND NATIONAL POLITICS:
 

        The Political Shift to the Sunbelt:

Population Shifts Result In Shifts In ....

... The distribution of Seats In The House Of Representatives,

 

 

 
.... and Therefore in The Electoral College

 

 

 

ELECTORAL VOTE CHANGES, 1988 TO 2004
 

State	1988 Electoral Votes	1992 Electoral Votes	2004 Electoral Votes	Change, 1988-2004
California	47	54	55	+ 8
Texas	29	32	34	+ 5
Florida	21	25	27	+ 6
TOTAL	97	111	116	+ 19
NewYork	36	33	31	-5
Pennsylvania	25	23	21	-4
Illinois	24	22	21	-3
Ohio	23	21	20	-3
Michigan	20	18	17	-3
TOTAL	128	117	110	-18