• 1- What is the purpose of government?
The purpose of the government is to protect the people that it is put in charge of ruling. They are to, in addition, provide and maintain roads and highways for the use of by residents of the union.
• 2- What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic?
The founders' had a belief in a limited government with a strong central government with states holding specific powers that should not be taken by the national government. The roles of the citizens was to vote for a person that they believed best represented them along with their ideals. They were to have an active role in the making of laws and in elections.
• 3- Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
The ideals listed in the second question's answer are very important t running a great government, but are not being met by the today's citizens. A passive role is taken by most citizens and this must be changed in order to get the government back to serving our direct needs.
• 4- How does the constitution underpin U.S. government?
The constitution completely lays out step-by-step how to make the government work and the powers each branch of the government needs to do. It spells out everything short of telling where to put the White House and the Capital.
• 5- Why was the concept of “checks and balances” a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
The idea of Checks and Balances was novel because before the constitution the only attempted democracies where though of Greece and Rome and both only had one branch so there was no balance of powers to be had and the European monarchies, even with a parliament, had no power to check each other.
• 6- How does Madison’s concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers?
Montesquieu believed that the three branches each separate from the others, but in order for anything to be passed it must be passed by all three at the same time. Where as Madison thought each would get their own job to do, but still be able to check the other groups with the powers given to them.
• 7- Define the following concepts: democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritarianism, and the elitist theory.
Pluralist theory is the thought that the making of laws is highly influenced by outside groups without ties to the government, but with stake of being helped or harmed by a law.
Majoritarianism is a theory that a select group of people, that are a majority of a population, should have the right to vote for the entire population.
Elitist Theory is the idea that the rich minority holds all the power in decision making no matter the majority vote.
• 8- Why did the Anti-Federalists fear the new governmental system?
The Anti-Federalists feared that the new government was to nationally powerful and not enough powers were given to the States.
• 9- Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
The new federal system strengthens the idea of separation of powers because there are set of rules that each branch can extend their power to without getting in trouble, so, I believe that, this strengthens the idea of separate powers for each group.
• 10- What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution?
The powers the States have have not changed in this era of "new Federalism." The only thing that has changed is the responsibility of the states to carryout laws and rules sent down from the federal government.
• 11- What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
The Federal government should leave these issues to the States to decide what is best individually for them, and stop sending new mandates for the states to follow.
The purpose of the government is to protect the people that it is put in charge of ruling. They are to, in addition, provide and maintain roads and highways for the use of by residents of the union.
• 2- What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic?
The founders' had a belief in a limited government with a strong central government with states holding specific powers that should not be taken by the national government. The roles of the citizens was to vote for a person that they believed best represented them along with their ideals. They were to have an active role in the making of laws and in elections.
• 3- Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
The ideals listed in the second question's answer are very important t running a great government, but are not being met by the today's citizens. A passive role is taken by most citizens and this must be changed in order to get the government back to serving our direct needs.
• 4- How does the constitution underpin U.S. government?
The constitution completely lays out step-by-step how to make the government work and the powers each branch of the government needs to do. It spells out everything short of telling where to put the White House and the Capital.
• 5- Why was the concept of “checks and balances” a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
The idea of Checks and Balances was novel because before the constitution the only attempted democracies where though of Greece and Rome and both only had one branch so there was no balance of powers to be had and the European monarchies, even with a parliament, had no power to check each other.
• 6- How does Madison’s concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers?
Montesquieu believed that the three branches each separate from the others, but in order for anything to be passed it must be passed by all three at the same time. Where as Madison thought each would get their own job to do, but still be able to check the other groups with the powers given to them.
• 7- Define the following concepts: democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritarianism, and the elitist theory.
Pluralist theory is the thought that the making of laws is highly influenced by outside groups without ties to the government, but with stake of being helped or harmed by a law.
Majoritarianism is a theory that a select group of people, that are a majority of a population, should have the right to vote for the entire population.
Elitist Theory is the idea that the rich minority holds all the power in decision making no matter the majority vote.
• 8- Why did the Anti-Federalists fear the new governmental system?
The Anti-Federalists feared that the new government was to nationally powerful and not enough powers were given to the States.
• 9- Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
The new federal system strengthens the idea of separation of powers because there are set of rules that each branch can extend their power to without getting in trouble, so, I believe that, this strengthens the idea of separate powers for each group.
• 10- What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution?
The powers the States have have not changed in this era of "new Federalism." The only thing that has changed is the responsibility of the states to carryout laws and rules sent down from the federal government.
• 11- What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
The Federal government should leave these issues to the States to decide what is best individually for them, and stop sending new mandates for the states to follow.