2: Constitutional Framework
- Page ID
- 23438
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 2.1: Module Introduction
- This page introduces the U.S. constitutional framework, focusing on its founding principles and design. It addresses the challenges of democracy, highlighting the limitations of the Articles of Confederation and the necessity of the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
- 2.2: Lecture Content
- This page discusses six key structural arrangements of American democracy as outlined by the U.S. Constitution: national supremacy, federalism, republicanism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and judicial review. National supremacy creates unity, federalism divides power, and republicanism focuses on representation.
- 2.3: Reading- The Philosophical Perspective
- This page discusses the contrasting views of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke on government necessity. Hobbes believes that without government, life would be chaotic, necessitating surrender of sovereignty for peace. In contrast, Locke offers a more optimistic perspective, suggesting that government is conditional on the protection of individual rights and popular sovereignty. Locke's ideas have had a significant impact on American political thought.
- 2.4: Reading- The First American Political System
- This page outlines significant political events that contributed to the establishment of the United States, specifically the Stamp Act Congress and the Continental Congress. It highlights the opposition to British taxation and the call for independence in 1776 through the Declaration of Independence. Additionally, the Articles of Confederation, created in 1777, established a weak central government, underscoring the preference for state self-governance and a wariness of centralized authority.
- 2.5: Reading- Creating and Ratifying the Constitution
- This page outlines the significance of Shays's Rebellion in prompting the 1787 Constitutional Convention, which aimed to address deficiencies in the Articles of Confederation. The delegates, including influential figures like George Washington, faced divisions and proposed compromises, leading to the creation of a bicameral legislature and the Electoral College.
- 2.6: Reading- Constitutional Principles and Provisions
- This page explores the key principles of the U.S. Constitution, including separation of powers, checks and balances, and bicameralism, which structure government roles and prevent dominance by any branch. Since 1787, the Constitution has remained mostly unchanged but has evolved through amendments like the Bill of Rights, expanding civil liberties and rights.
- 2.7: Putting It Together
- This page outlines the Constitution's development as a political document aimed at strengthening national power after the revolution, through compromises on key issues like slavery and elections. Its ratification involved negotiations with opponents, leading to the inclusion of a Bill of Rights.
- 2.8: Module 2 Assessments
- This page outlines a module that includes a discussion on the early democratic shortcomings of the U.S. Constitution, an assignment for team formation based on majors, a knowledge quiz, and a collaborative final team project on a political issue. Each component has specific guidelines, research expectations, and point values for grading.