Review of Chapter One Sources of Political Conflict Government s role in Political Conflict Tools of Government for its role Gov s method to manage Political Conflict How are the two main rule types different What are the various source of structural rules What is the nature of the Rules How why do the Rules change with time Key Terms Summary Material scarcity The inability of a society to provide its citizens with all the goods and services they may want or need Values Principles and beliefs embraced by society Legitimacy A self imposed willingness of citizens to respect and obey the decisions of their government Coercive force The ability of a government to compel its citizens to obey its decisions Structural rules Rules that establish the organization procedures and powers of government Policy rule A decision a government institution reaches on a specific political question within its jurisdiction Chapter 2a Learning Objectives The Constitution 1 Examine the Constitution as a reflection of political conflict 2 Discuss impact of the Colonial Experience on the founding fathers 3 Summarize the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation 4 Examine politics of Constitutional Convention its ratification 5 Analyze political philosophy of Founding Fathers influence 6 Examine the theoretical basis of the Declaration of Independence 7 Explain conflict Individual Rights vs majority Democratic Rule 8 Discuss potential problem of Majority Rule how its moderated The Constitution some general points Short document compared with that of states Oldest National constitution now in use Little changed in contrasts to that of states 27 amendments in over 200 years 1st Ten Amendments made almost immediately Americans hold Constitution in high regard But most never read it or know what s in it General points continued Constitution is a living document interpretation Lays out government s basic structure Role of key political institutions Constitution is a political document not perfect Represents political compromises made at the time Written in a way to gain ratification of most at least 9 of 13 Colonies Result difficult issues side stepped or made their wording made ambiguous Inherent Presidential Powers left to George Washington s discretion while on the job Slavery women s rights left to future generations Constitution as a Reflection of Political Conflict The Colonial Experience Previous 150 years of relative independence from London Parliament s post French Indian War actions Britain s need to pay for war security Acquired new territory from France Spain How to pay from Colonial perspective Taxation without representation King George III his appointed governors Greater centralized rule from London Less autonomy of Colonial Legislators England s Political Situation 1760 s As King Georges s assertion of power steadily rose The legitimacy of the English government fell What was the impact of this change on the Colonies Impact on Colonies Growing colonial resentment toward tyranny Mistrust of centralized power King located across Atlantic in London Manifested especially in King s appointed colonial governors King appointed and paid the salaries of his governors Greater allegiance to King not the Colonists he governed Americans had more trust in states their legislature American attitude especially following the War for Independence influenced as a result Shaped founding fathers attitudes toward government Colonists saw a decentralized government with its diffusion of power as preferable to a highly centralized government Decentralized Power Centralized Power Branch 1 VS centralized The King Power Defused Branch 2 Branch 3 Attitude incorporated into Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation Key Questions What is the source of national government s power Type of government under Articles Inherent problem with this type of government The Articles of Confederation National Government only had powers that the states granted it States retain their sovereignty or supreme power within their borders The National Government would only have power to negotiate foreign relations Articles did not provide for executive branch States grant powers States retain sovereignty Foreign policy run by Federal government No Executive Branch Realities Problems of the Articles of Confederation States negotiated own trade agreement with Europe States imposed their own tariffs problem Impeded Interstate Commerce development of a National Economy The wealthy class was unhappy with laws passed by state legislatures to disadvantage of wealthy class What practical example demonstrated Articles failure weakness Shay s Rebellion The participants in Shay s rebellion protested Massachusetts economic policy State s foreclosure of farms of tax delinquent farmers Governor asked for national government to put down the rebellion no one came This rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation result The Constitutional Convention ISSUES AND DEBATES What is the best form of government What are the interests of the people and their leaders How can a government be organized that best meets the needs of all Three Critical Disputes How to allocate representation political power in the new Congress How to deal with the question of slavery How to define the powers of the new executive office of presidency The Answers involved Compromise Calculated ambiguity in wording And a lot of politics during the Convention Horse Trading The Politics of the Constitutional Convention Structuring representation of National Legislature Setting agenda Virginia Plan Madison s role Counter proposal New Jersey Plan Conflicting interests big versus little states Resolving conflict through compromise Final outcome compare contrast The Virginia Plan called for Two house legislature Separate executive branch Separate judicial branch What were the responsibilities of each branch Responsibilities of each branch Legislative Branch Executive Branch Make the Laws Enforces Laws Judicial Branch Interpret Laws The Legislature under the Virginia Plan Under this plan voters elect the Lower House which in turn elects the Upper House Lower House Voters Upper House New Jersey Plan Small States Counter Proposal One House Each State State Each elect s Equal Number of Representatives How was the conflict between the two plans resolved The Connecticut Compromise Split the difference House of Representatives Senate Based on Population Two Seats per