POLS 206 Lecture Notes - Direct Democracy, Political Philosophy, Commerce Clause
11 Feb 2014
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Document Summary
Forefront of the constitutional convention: constitution is a democratic document until the amendments and bill of rights are added. It is decided that congress will be the center of the government. President can"t do much regarding the economy, congress is center of policy making. Powers of congress were strengthened (keys actions taken), given power to punish counter fitters, powers of state were limited. Bills of attainder- you cannot be punished without judicial trial, have to have a trial unless you get a plea bargain, due process etc. All of the above was written in the articles of the constitution. Critical issues at the convention: economic issues, the individual rights issues. Tends to favor status quo and limits political change: constitutional convention was done in secrecy- benjamin franklin is the biggest threat to spill the beans. Ratifying the constitution: federalists and anti- federalists, thwarting tyranny of the majority founding fathers didn"t think citizens could make educated decisions on the government.
