PSCI 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Limited Government
Document Summary
Finishing up articles of confederation: historical context of the constitution. Slave states vs. non-slave states: distribution of power. Enforcement ability was severely limited bc national government was weak: failure. The american constitution: new form of government. Convention called for purpose of reforming the articles of. True agenda = author new form of government (i. e. not reform. Main architects: james madison, thomas jefferson, alexander. Hamilton, benjamin franklin, and john adams: lessons before the constitution. Rules influence policy outcomes: threats to government. Tyranny of majority (masses: dealing with the threats. Implciation: governments work for people, but people are active participants. Separation of powers and federalism: a closer look at limited government. Definition: a strong government that finds it difficult to exercise power. Founders wanted it because their different interests. Government is effective when interests are common. Conflict is built into government to check that power: separation of powers. Create an institution for each type (legislative/executive/judicial) Judicial: cannot initiate legislation: checks and balances.