ChecksandBalances 美国政体

1、Federalism and the Constitution“One who rules without law, looks to his own advantage rather than that of his subjects, and uses extreme and cruel tacticsagainst his own people as well as othersRuler that is unrestrained by law or constitution.Often has stolen power through illegal ways.1. Which is

2、preferable:A government that is efficient. This government can make fast choices, move quickly, and accomplish tasks fast. A government that slows down decision making and makes it difficult. That makes it difficult for decisions to be made in order to make slow and thoughtful decisions. Madisons Id

3、easSeparation of powersChecks and balancesHow can this be accomplished?Library of CongressWhat happens to the opinion of the minority when the majority controls all decisions?Federal governmentWashington, DCPresident, Congress, Courts50 State GovernmentsGovernorsState LegislaturesCity, Town Governme

4、ntsMayorsCity CouncilsDivides power between the national and lower level governments. Each government has distinct powers that the other governments cannot change. Examples: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, and the United States.The Founding Fathers wanted to combine a central government s

5、trong enough to maintain order with strong states. The large geographical size of a country.State governments have served as places where new laws and ideas can be tested.Federalism allows for many political subcultures. What is tyranny? In what ways did the Founding Fathers try to prevent tyranny?J

6、ames Madison (based upon the ideas of Montesquieu) helped to create a government of Checks and Balances. Describe how and why that system is important to the American government.Describe the meaning of Federalism. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this system?How is power shared in America be

7、tween the national governments and the state governments?Enumerated PowersImplied PowersIn theory, the states have all powers that were not delegated to the national government. Power of the national government has grown over time.Apply to both the national and state governmentsState governments are

8、 prohibited from conducting foreign policy and from coining money. “CongressCongresshas the power has the power to coin money.”to coin money.”Article VI of the Constitution requires that actions by the national government are supreme. Any conflict between a legitimate action of the national governme

9、nt and a state will be resolved in favor of the national government.The Congress shall have Power - To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in an

10、y Department or Officer thereof.Strict Construction vs. Loose ConstructionMcCulloch v. Maryland 1819 Bank of the United StatesMaryland BranchTax on Bank“We must never forget it is a constitution we are expounding.”John Marshall Bettmann /CorbisChief Justice John Marshall: Library of CongressAmerican history has been a battle between state and federal authorityWho should have more control?Where to conservatives and liberals tend to stand on this issue?Election of 1800Adams to JeffersonChange in political philosophiesMidnight JudgesJames MadisonSupreme C