Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
2 & 3 - The key features of the US Constitution and an evaluation of…
2 & 3 - The key features of the US Constitution and an evaluation of their effectiveness today & The main characteristics of US federalism
Federalism
Federalism - A theory of government by which political power is divided between a national government and state governments, each having their own areas of substantive jurisdction.
-
Limited government
The framers of the Constitution wanted limited government. The 17th century English philosopher John Locke had grounded the case for limited government on the twin foundations of individual rights and popular sovereignty.
Limited government - A principle that the scope of the federal government should be limited to that which is necessary for the common good of the people.
Popular sovereignty - The principle, inherent in both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, that ultimate political authority rests with the people.
At the Philadelphia Convention, there was considerable disagreement between those who wanted the states to remain sovereign (anti-federalists) and others who wanted to create a more centralised, federal arrangement (federalists).
Bipartisanship
Bipartisanship - Close cooperation between the two major parties to achieve desired political goals. In the US system of government, it may be crucial for political success.
With checks and balances, the framers of the Constitution hoped to encourage a spirit of bipartisanship. However, it can lead to gridlock.
Divided government - When the presidency is controlled by one party, and one or both houses of Congress are controlled by the other party.
-
-
-
During the years of Republican control from 2003 through 2006, Congress was fairly feeble in exercising its oversight function of Bush's war in Iraq.
The impeachment proceedings conducted against Democrat President Bill Clinton by a Republican-controlled Congress (1998-99) were highly partisan.
Separation of powers
Separation of powers - A theory of government whereby political power is distributed among the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, each acting both independently and interdependently.
-
Checks and balances
Checks and balances - A system of government that gives each branch the means to partially control the power exercised by the other branches.
-