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Unit 1- US constitution - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Provides clarity and accessibility
      - Sets out all core constitutional rules in one place
      - Distinguishes it from uncodified systems like the UK
    - - Constitution sits above ordinary legislation
      - Courts can strike down laws that conflict with it
      - Reinforces judicial review as a constitutional principle
    - - Citizens know where power is located
      - Limits arbitrary government action
      - Creates predictable political processes
  - - - Requires supermajorities (2/3 Congress + 3/4 states)
      - Prevents rapid or partisan constitutional change
      - Ensures long‑term stability
    - - Bill of Rights is shielded from simple majorities
      - Prevents erosion of civil liberties
      - Courts enforce entrenched rights through judicial review
    - - Prevents temporary majorities from expanding federal authority
      - Maintains federal–state balance
      - Preserves original constitutional structure
  - - - Terms like “necessary and proper” allow flexibility
      - “General welfare” clause enables broad federal action
      - “Cruel and unusual” evolves with societal standards
    - - No mention of political parties
      - No reference to the cabinet or federal bureaucracy
      - No guidance on modern issues (technology, healthcare, immigration systems)
  - - - Can impeach and remove
      - Can override vetoes
      - Senate confirms appointments and treaties
    - - Can veto legislation
      - Can call special sessions
      - Uses executive orders to bypass gridlock
- - - - Clear separation of state and federal roles
      - Dominant in 18th–19th centuries
      - States had strong autonomy
  - - - 10th Amendment protects state authority
      - States control education, policing, elections
      - Creates diversity between states
    - - Both levels can tax
      - Both can enforce laws
      - Both can borrow money
- - - - Citizens elect members of Congress
      - Electoral College selects the President
      - Senators originally chosen by state legislatures
    - - Regular elections mandated
      - First Amendment protects political participation
      - Separation of powers prevents authoritarianism
    - - Electoral College can override popular vote
        
        2016- Clinton won popular vote by 3M votes, but trump won election
      - Senate gives equal power to small and large states
      - Supreme Court justices are unelected and serve for life
  - - - Entrenchment prevents rapid change
      - Clear institutional structure
      - Predictable political processes
    - - Bill of Rights safeguards civil liberties
      - Judicial review enforces constitutional limits
      - Rights evolve through interpretation (e.g., privacy)
  - - - Electoral College can produce minority‑vote presidents
      - Senate overrepresents small states
      - Lifetime Supreme Court appointments reduce accountability
    - - Separation of powers slows decision‑making
      - Divided government leads to legislative deadlock
      - Filibuster (in practice) blocks majority rule
    - - Constitution silent on modern issues (technology, bureaucracy)
      - Amendment process too difficult for necessary reforms
      - Framers could not anticipate modern political parties
- - - - Federal government has enumerated powers (e.g., defence, currency, interstate commerce)
      - States retain reserved powers under the 10th Amendment
      - Some powers are concurrent (e.g., taxation, law enforcement)
    - - Article I lists federal legislative powers
      - 10th Amendment protects state authority
      - Supremacy Clause ensures federal law overrides state law
    - - New Deal expanded federal power through commerce clause
      - Civil Rights era strengthened federal enforcement over states
      - Modern disputes: healthcare, immigration, marijuana, environment
  - - - Makes federal laws
      - Controls federal budget
      - Can declare war
    - - Enforces laws
      - Commander‑in‑chief of armed forces
      - Conducts foreign policy
    - - Interprets the Constitution
      - Reviews laws and executive actions
      - Resolves disputes between states
  - - - Can override vetoes
      - Senate confirms appointments and treaties
      - Can impeach and remove the President
    - - Can veto legislation
      - Can call special sessions
      - Uses executive orders to bypass gridloc
  - - - Protects individual liberties from government intrusion
      - Limits federal and state power
      - Courts enforce rights through judicial review
    - - Bicameralism slows legislation
      - Federalism divides authority
      - Checks and balances prevent concentration of power
  - - - Supermajorities needed for amendments
      - Senate filibuster (in practice) requires cross‑party cooperation
      - Committees often require negotiatio
    - - Different parties often control different branches
      - Forces negotiation on budgets, appointments, legislation
      - Can lead to gridlock when compromise fails