Normative Theory
How the world should be
Positive Theory
How the world is
Politics
The authoritative allocation of resources and values
Authority
The legal rights to make a decision
Power
The influence over other actors (people)
Direct Democracy
If all, or m...
politics the authoritative allocation of resources and values
authority the legal rights to make a decision
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POLS 1101
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POLS 1101 (Chapter 1-5)
Normative Theory - How the world should be
Positive Theory - How the world is
Politics - The authoritative allocation of resources and values
Authority - The legal rights to make a decision
Power - The influence over other actors (people)
Direct Democracy - If all, or most, citizens participate directly in policy outcomes
Representative Democracy - The people we select to represent us as a whole
Why is competition for office so crucial? - They have the authority to select elected
people. They are responsive to us but not directly.
Why did founders avoid the word "democracy"? - Skeptical of competence of individual
citizens
Americans interest & knowledge on politics? - Not much interest = enduring finding;
uninformed voters have opinions
Codified Constitution - contained in a single document
Uncodified Constitution - Multiple Sources written or unwritten
What is contained in constitutions? - (ORR) Organization, Representation, Rights
[politics, economics, and sciences]
What is the American influence on the Declaration of Independence? - People have a
right, sometimes obligation, to overthrow government; natural rights-life, liberty, persuit
of happiness
What are the Articles of Confederation weaknesses? - Taxes and Coordination
Federalists - Strong government; trade; wealthy people
, Anti-Federalists - Skeptical of strong government; no commerce; farmers
Common things for Shay's Rebellion & Annapolis Convention? - The topic was
Commerce-galvanized interest & mobilized the states behind constitutional reform
What is the difference between the Virginia & New Jersey Plan? - Big v Small State for
Representatives (population of each state counted as being equal)
What is the Great Compromise? - Two Houses: 1st house is population & election; 2nd
house is 2 members per state. Electoral College to select the President, Supreme Court
nominated by President, confirmed by the Senate. The main issue was slavery-not
resolved.
Ratification of Constitution? - Provision added to constitution stating only 9 votes to
approve. State conventions, ratified
What was Madison's Large Republic? - Protects Liberties
Madison's View of Factions? - It extended republics less likely to result in "tyrannical"
majorities; more diverse; protects liberties
Changing Constitution formally? - ratification of the constitution
Changing the Constitution informally? - Supreme court can interpret laws differently,
constitution or not constitutional
Is Constitution Amending Easy or Difficult? - Difficult
Unitary - Only central government is sovereign (most common)
Confederation - Central government is subordinate to regional governments
Federalism - Different levels = different authority; legally independent
Enumerated - Defense and promotion of stable economy
Implied - A political power not expressly named in a constitution but that is inferred
because it is necessary to the performance of an enumerated power.
Elastic Clause - It grants Congress the powers that are implied in the Constitution, but
that are not explicitly stated. That is why the powers derived from the Necessary and
Proper Clause are referred to as implied powers.
Supremacy Clause - National laws are supreme- state laws must comply and supreme
court generally sides with national government
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