1 Political Science Notes Politics Struggle over power and influence within an organization World Powers Family Everywhere Government Ultimate authority within a society resolves conflicts through decision making determines winners and losers determines who gets what Liberty The freedom of an individual that is consistent wit the freedom of others within society Order A state of peace and order protecting members of society from crime and violence Authority Right of a government to enforce decisions and compel obedience Consent Government and laws exist through legitimacy Legitimacy Popular control of a government and its powers Natural Rights John Loche Superior to human law that includes Life Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness land Social Contract Voluntary association designed to secure rights and welfare by creating a government and following its rules Confederation An agreement between individuals to respect each other s decisions while working together as a central government with limited powers over states Political Typology Mutually exclusive political subjects categories Types of Government Variations of governmental structures and purposes Totalitarian A form of government with total control over society and politics Authoritarian A form of government under authority of a ruler Aristocracy A form of government ruled by the upper class Democracy A form of government under authority of the people Types of Democracy Direct Democracy Governmental decisions are made by the people directly No Representative EX Small towns in New Hampshire Representative Democracy Indirect Democracy Governmental decisions are made indirectly by representatives of the people U S Government 2 Types of Rules Variations of decision making authority Majority Greatest number of people determines policies and who will lead Elite Small number of people who exercise power over a large number to further their self interest Plural Decision making is controlled through bargaining and compromise of groups of like minded individuals Types of Political Ideology Set of beliefs about politics Conservative A belief in a limited role in government assistance support for traditional values resistant to change Liberal A belief that the government should assist individuals strong on civil rights open to change Socialism A belief in a social and economic equality businesses run by government and by employee cooperatives Libertarian A belief that scrutinizes and opposes government control over society Types of Governmental Systems Relationships between States Governments and National Governments Confederal System System of government where independent States have equal power and the State Governments has limited power of the Central Government Federal System System of government where power is divided between the Central Government and the State Governments Unitary System System of government based on a centralized system of government where States have only the powers given to them by the Central Government Types of Governmental Power Distribution of authority and control Enumerated Powers specifically granted to the National Government by the Constitution Written Down Implied Powers reasonably necessary to carry out powers expressly enumerated given to the National Government Not Written down Inherent Powers held by the National Government as a sovereign state to preserve itself Not Written down Example Air Force 3 Declaration of Independence Declaring American Colonies their independence from King George of England Declaration of Independence 1 Representation Signed July 4th 1776 2 Sovereignty Declared American Colonies an independent Country 3 Inalienable Rights All men are created equal Life Liberty Land 4 Popular Control Government receives power from the people 5 Risks Signers pledge their lives fortunes honor land for independence 6 Expectations Provides no clear form of Government for colonies Articles of Confederation 1777 Created congress non governmental representatives oversees military and economy Federalist Favored strong Central Government Anti Federalist Favored strong State Governments U S Constitution and Federalism Constitution September 17th 1787 1 Created a Federal Government composed of a Legislative Executive and Judicial Branch 2 U S Constitution and U S laws are supreme to States 3 Provides methods to amend and ratify amendments of the Constitution 4 National Government has certain powers and State Governments have certain powers Separation of Powers Legislative Branch Bicameral law making body made up of Representatives of the people 1 Senate The Chamber composed of two individuals from each state to represent the individual states 100 members 2 House of Representatives The chamber composed of proportionate number of individual states based on population 435 members Great Compromise The compromise that created two chambers in the legislature one based on population and one on representing each state equally Executive Branch Composed of the President and his Cabinet Judicial Branch Justices empowered to determine whether laws are constitutional and to settle disputes according to the law Constitutional Amendments Additional Provisions to original U S Constitution 4 Bill of Rights 1791 First 10 amendments limited powers of National Government 1 Freedom of religion press speech assembly and to petition 2 Freedom to maintain a militia and to bear arms 3 Freedom not to quarter soldiers except in times of war 4 Freedom against unlawful search and seizure 5 Freedom against self incrimination and double jeopardy rights to grand jury and eminent domain proceedings Miranda 6 Right to criminal proceedings 7 Right to trial by Jury in civil trial cases 8 Freedom from cruel and unusual punishment right to bail 9 Rights not expressly written down are retained by the people 10 Rights not given to the National Government or denied to State Governments belong to State Governments and people Key Amendments 13th Amendment Prohibited slavery 14th Amendment Due Process and equal protection 15th Amendment Right to Vote Involving Race 19th Amendment Right to Vote Involving Gender 26th Amendment Right to Vote Involving Age Constitutional Clauses Provisions found in the Constitution Commerce Clause Power of Congress to regulate trade amongst States and with other Countries designated powers Government State upon request and proceedings citizen of another State local laws Elastic Clause Powers of Congress to do