1- What is the purpose of government? The purpose of government is to maintain the order, promote equality and protect citizens from corruption and crime. Also to give citizens their natural rights and freedom.
2-What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic? The founder's viewed the government's purpose to protect and provide security and safety to citizens also to maintain equality, provide public goods to the people and protect the natural rights of the people. The role of the citizens in the American Republic should be to maintain free, remain equal and make decisions based on the government.
3- Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
Yes these views are still relevant because the government is meant to serve and protect citizens from their natural rights and freedom.
4- How does the constitution underpin U.S. government? The constitution underpins U.S. government today because it is the structure that it is based on and limits the powers by dividing it into three branches Executive, Judicial, and Legislature. Also in order for the people to run themselves and have rights the state and federal government share and divide their powers among themselves.
5- Why was the concept of “checks and balances” a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
The concept of checks and balances in the 18th century was a great idea because back then there was no checks and balances it was just two branches that governed and a common rule would be a strong monarchy. Also the government wanted prevention of abuse of power.
6- How does Madison’s concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers?
Madison's concept of checks and balances challenge that of Montesquieu's because Madison believed in an independent governing and protecting liberty while Montesquieu's three branches were relied on each other to run a successful government. 7- Define the following concepts: democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritarianism, and the elitist theory.
Democratic Theory: Is a set of three principles that describes how the government should run and make decisions based upon having equality while voting meaning any adult is allowed to vote, participation, control and the understanding of the decisions made.
Republicanism: The power is within the people to elect representatives that they believe and trust that they will make the right choices.
Pluralist Theory: A theory of government and politics which compete against groups and make bargains for preferred policies but in the end both groups win. Majoritarianism: Is based on the majority rule of votes which the people represent as they play a role in direct democracy and represent the government.
Elitist theory: Is a belief that the government should be governed by the elite and more stable minority. For example, the wealthy and big businesses
8- Why did the Anti-Federalists fear the new governmental system?
The anti-federalists feared that the new government would be given to much power which will overthrow liberty and just become a monarch all over again which would create strong centralized government.
9- Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
I believe that the new federal system weakens the concept of separation of powers because the states were able to run more of the government before as of now they don't really run as much or have that much power because now the central government has more parts to run in the government . 10- What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution? The powers of state and local government are to regulate business, enforce the criminal law, supervise education, marriage laws and based on the tenth amendment what ever is not being given to the federal laws are given to the states. 11- What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
The influence the federal government should have over those state and local issues are to stop the protesting because all though many believe they do not have a voice and need to show that they do and want the government to change such things they should stop the violence because many get injured trying to show they have a voice and want to take matters into their own hands. So the federal government should try to stop the violence between those issues.
3- Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
Yes these views are still relevant because the government is meant to serve and protect citizens from their natural rights and freedom.
4- How does the constitution underpin U.S. government? The constitution underpins U.S. government today because it is the structure that it is based on and limits the powers by dividing it into three branches Executive, Judicial, and Legislature. Also in order for the people to run themselves and have rights the state and federal government share and divide their powers among themselves.
5- Why was the concept of “checks and balances” a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
The concept of checks and balances in the 18th century was a great idea because back then there was no checks and balances it was just two branches that governed and a common rule would be a strong monarchy. Also the government wanted prevention of abuse of power.
6- How does Madison’s concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers?
Madison's concept of checks and balances challenge that of Montesquieu's because Madison believed in an independent governing and protecting liberty while Montesquieu's three branches were relied on each other to run a successful government. 7- Define the following concepts: democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritarianism, and the elitist theory.
Democratic Theory: Is a set of three principles that describes how the government should run and make decisions based upon having equality while voting meaning any adult is allowed to vote, participation, control and the understanding of the decisions made.
Republicanism: The power is within the people to elect representatives that they believe and trust that they will make the right choices.
Pluralist Theory: A theory of government and politics which compete against groups and make bargains for preferred policies but in the end both groups win. Majoritarianism: Is based on the majority rule of votes which the people represent as they play a role in direct democracy and represent the government.
Elitist theory: Is a belief that the government should be governed by the elite and more stable minority. For example, the wealthy and big businesses
8- Why did the Anti-Federalists fear the new governmental system?
The anti-federalists feared that the new government would be given to much power which will overthrow liberty and just become a monarch all over again which would create strong centralized government.
9- Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
I believe that the new federal system weakens the concept of separation of powers because the states were able to run more of the government before as of now they don't really run as much or have that much power because now the central government has more parts to run in the government . 10- What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution? The powers of state and local government are to regulate business, enforce the criminal law, supervise education, marriage laws and based on the tenth amendment what ever is not being given to the federal laws are given to the states. 11- What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
The influence the federal government should have over those state and local issues are to stop the protesting because all though many believe they do not have a voice and need to show that they do and want the government to change such things they should stop the violence because many get injured trying to show they have a voice and want to take matters into their own hands. So the federal government should try to stop the violence between those issues.