5 American Politics Government(full text)5 American Politics Government(full text).doc

Chapter 2 American Politics Government The Constitution Created in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention (delegates from 12 of 13 states (excluding Rhode Island) gathered in Philadelphia to draw the Constitution); The supreme law the US the basis of the US political system; Consists of 7 articles a preamble; 27 amendments (the first 10 known as the Bill of Rights) Articles of the Constitution The Preamble We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. The Fundamental Principles of the United States Constitution 1. Republicanism The right and liberty of individuals could best be guaranteed through a republican form of government, in which people elect representatives to govern; The people vote for members of the House and Senate and elect the members of the Electorate College to elect the president. 2. Federalism There is a division of power between State and National Governments Some powers are shared The National Government has the “supreme power” 3. Separation of Powers (3 branches) No one holds “too much” power Legislative branch (Congress) makes the laws; Executive branch (headed by the president) has the power to enforce or carry out the laws; Judicial branch (headed by the Supreme Court) interprets and applies the laws in federal court cases. 4. Checks and Balance Prevents the abuse of power in government Each branch can check each other branch Each branch has influence and is given some authority over the others. If one branch abused its power, the others could use their checks to block it. Federal Government Legislative Branch (Congress) Bicameral: Senate (2 senators from each state) and House of Representatives (whose representation is proportiona