Political Science 1100, Introduction to American Politics, February 2, 2009
What were the Founders Thinking? (continued)
3. What did the Revolution teach Americans about government?
The States managed public policy in 1787
But they could not deal with the nation's mounting problems
State rivalries
Rhode Island & Shays's rebellion
Foreign threats
The Confederation government was very weak
Madison's dilemma:
4. How did the framers resolve this dilemma?
Roger Sherman of Connecticut: a different vision for the wanted the new national government to protect the states
Sherman became Madison's chief rival
The Convention was a struggle between Madison's vision of a national government
for the future,
and Sherman's
defense of the existing state prerogatives
The Convention then played out as an unexpected series of compromises that no one anticipated.
Unexpected Compromise #2: Slavery
Unexpected Compromise #3: The presidency
The Results:
Federalism
How and Why do Americans fight about states' rights and federalism?
1. 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)
2. WHO CARES ABOUT FEDERALISM?
A. States Affect Everyone's Lives
B. States do things differently
3. FEDERALISM AND NATIONAL POLITICS:
The Economic Shift to the Sunbelt
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