This year in AP Government we covered several topics including constitutional underpinnings, political beliefs and citizen behavior, political parties and interest groups, along with the institutions of the government, civil liberties and civil rights as well as public policy. In this essay I will analyze the connections between these topics and how they work together to help our country 's government run smoothly. The constitutional underpinnings include characteristics embodied in our current government such as federalism, representative democracy, and John Locke’s philosophies. Federalism in the constitutional underpinnings also links to the institutions of government because federalism describes the separation of power …show more content…
One connection that can be made is between the institutions of government and public policy. Whether it be on the federal or state level, the legislative branch is responsible for creating public policy, while the judicial branch is responsible for interpreting these policies as well as trying violators of these policies. The executive branch is responsible for enforcing the public policies. The institutions of government also link to constitutional underpinnings because they derive their powers from the constitution directly. The bureaucracy, which is a government institution, links to public policy because they are responsible for carrying out government tasks as related to public policy. For example if there is a new policy that affects drivers licenses, the Department of Motor Vehicles would be responsible for carrying out this policy. Government institutions also link to civil liberties and rights because they are responsible for preserving them for the people of the …show more content…
Civil liberties and civil rights connect to constitutional underpinnings through that the constitution is the basis for most if not all freedoms given to citizens. As mentioned earlier, the first ten amendments, also known as the Bill of Rights, outline the basic liberties and rights of every U.S citizen. Civil liberties and civil rights also link to interest groups because there are some interest groups out there such as the NAACP whose sole purpose is to advocate for the liberties and rights of its members. Civil rights and liberties also link to public policy because there are certain laws that were created specifically for a civil rights issue such as the ADA, or the Americans with Disabilities Act which was created to provide equality for disabled
During and after the turmoil of the American Revolution, the people of America, both the rich and the poor, the powerful and the meek, strove to create a new system of government that would guide them during their unsure beginning. This first structure was called the Articles of Confederation, but it was ineffective, restricted, and weak. It was decided to create a new structure to guide the country. However, before a new constitution could be agreed upon, many aspects of life in America would have to be considered. The foremost apprehensions many Americans had concerning this new federal system included fear of the government limiting or endangering their inalienable rights, concern that the government’s power would be unbalanced, both within
Republicanism brought change to America, but called into question was the way this change was brought to America. James Madison through the Virginia Plan proposed a republic nation. The formation of the Republican opposition in the 1790’s continued the legacy of the American Revolution. Even though a republican government meant everyone in America would be under the same government it took away the “individual” freedom they fought for in the revolution but this government is representative of the people. Madison had a vision of an “extended republic” that would include everyone, however he would need a lot of support in order to get this republic. “Over the course of 1790’s, Jefferson and Madison would help turn their objections to Hamilton's
"American Government: Institutions and Policies [Hardcover]." American Government: Institutions and Policies: James Q. Wilson, Jr. John J. DiIulio, Meena Bose: 9781111830014: Amazon.com: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
concerning the success of such a system, depending on a person's outlook on the subject.
The Age of Federalism written by two highly skilled historians Stanley Elkins and Eric Mckitrick describes how the country advance from just an idea to a working republic. In different ways, this story is about the evolution of two party system. It is surprising how the political organizations quickly became an integral party of a democratic system, but they did this regardless of warnings against political factions by American leaders who was afraid for the diverse impact it may have on the emerging republic. This book was written in order to give an analytical survey of the nation’s crucial decade under the constitution. This book provides a historical account of political, military, economic, cultural and diplomatic problems that faced the new nation. These issues are examined in the book from different point of views. The authors conducted a well-organized research using hundreds of sources such as, government documents, US documents, statesman’s papers, doctoral dissertations and newspaper articles. This book attempts to explore the great figures that played a major role in shaping this remarkable era. The authors did this in order to know them better and accurately interpret their behaviors. The book reveals Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison and Adams to be more complex, spirited and contradictory more than other
Within the Constitution, there are many features that are absolutely vital to the success of not only the longevity but success of the government it established. Certain features prevent one aspect of government becoming tyrannical in its power, and some establish the role of constituent states in policy making. While each of these is different, each with a similar role, each must be examined for the reasoning behind their addition to the Constitution. These specific additions are checks and balances, the separation of power, and Federalism.
Both Civil liberties and rights are not nor represent the same thing. Civil liberties are personal guarantees and freedoms that the government cannot abridge, either by law or by judicial interpretation. Civil rights are the rights of individuals to receive equal treatment in a number of settings including education, employment, housing, and more. Many interests groups use these terms to support their own campains so that politicians might notice something being violated in the constitution.
The protection of civil liberties and civil rights is critical to the existence of our society. Civil rights are the nonpolitical rights of people granted by the government that provide protection for citizens and guarantee fairness. For example, civil rights ensure a person receives equal treatment with regard to education, housing, employment, etc. Civil rights protect people from discrimination and unfair treatment. Civil liberties are basic rights for all people that are broad and guaranteed by the Constitution. Civil liberties are also referred to as personal freedoms. These liberties or freedoms give people the various rights without government interference such as the right to free speech, to vote,
Jay, later named as first chief justice of the Supreme Court, wrote five of the
Federalism has a very important impact on american history, it 's based on the relationship between the u.s. government and the each government in our fifty states. That 's very important because we have laws that need to be enforced everyday. The separation of government between state and federal laws can help give us an understanding of what both mean and how big of an impact it has on us as a nation.
The current state of federalism in the United States is of one of peril, plagued with recent Supreme Court rulings, current debates over the devolution of Federal powers, and variance in State governing. The United States has always been troubled with the role of the Federal government V. State government on numerous issues. Since around the time of the Great Depression, the federal government was charged with the taking care of the American public in many social and economic matters. Congress was then granted by the Supreme Court almost complete power in passing any sort by legislation by relating it somehow to the Commerce Clause. The Commerce Clause found in Section 8, Article I, United States Constitution, states that Congress may regulate any and all commerce between foreign nations and the states. Congress simply related almost all legislature in some way to intrastate commerce, therefore making the passing of their legislation constitutional. This system was greatly used by Congress for almost sixty years, when, in the late nineteen-eighties and early nineteen-nineties many individuals and special interests groups challenged the constitutionally of these laws passed by Congress using the Commerce Clause. In several cases, such as United States v. Lopez, Congress was dealt a powerful blow and the states seemed to gain an upper hand. In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled that Congress had exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause by enacting the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990. This, along with many other laws repealed by the Supreme Court, weakened Federal control and gave power back to the states, a grievous mistake in my opinion. This increased the strains on the role of federalism in the United States and once again brought up the question, who has the power to govern what? In addition to this, federalism has taken a frightful turn with the current debates of devolution, or returning power to the states. Many current Congressmen and citizens alike believe that states should have a greater level of sovereignty and that federal power should be weakened so as to strengthen state governments. In contrast, many others believe that the Federal government should be allowed more power. This and other conflicting ideas have lead to a constant strain on the abilities of the government to best carry out its duties.
Federalism, by definition, is the division of government authority between at least two levels of government. In the United States, authority is divided between the state and national government. “Advocates of a strong federal system believe that the state and local governments do not have the sophistication to deal with the major problems facing the country” (Encarta.com).
How well has federalism worked in the United States? This is all a matter of opinion. Federalism has indeed been an active structure for government that fits in quite well with the changing American society. This particular system of government has been around for over two hundred years, and under all those years the separation of power under American federalism has changed numerous amounts of times in both law and practice. The United States Constitution does allow changes and amendments in the Constitution have assigned miscellaneous roles to the central and state governments than what originally intended. The suitable equilibrium between national and state powers is repeatedly an issue in American Politics.
Federalism is a legal concept that is centered around the concept that law is best handled as a two layered responsibility. Federalism is also built on a belief that sharing power with the local government is key to a successful governance. According to the text book, “the United States was the first nation to adopt federalism as its governing framework” (pg83). The following are a few examples of some advantages, as well as disadvantages of Federalism.
Politics-Administration Dichotomy essentially has a two part meaning; there are two functions of government for this idea, as the name implies politics, and administration. The argument about the dichotomy between politics and public administration has been around for several years with no overall consensus on why they should be distinct from one another. Looking critically at both sides of the idea, there are ways to demonstrate an accurate presentation of the administrative agencies working and there are also ways they have proved to be inaccurate. There are just as many downfalls to a politicized bureaucracy. There will be more benefits to the politics-administration dichotomy view with the concept put in place by Woodrow Wilson. He simply promotes a clear distinction between politics and administration and supports the idea that they are interdependent of one another, and they require one another for the appropriate balance between democracy and efficiency. The idea of Wilson’s concept will allow agencies to gain the most efficiency through interdependence of politics-administration.