Unit 1: American Political Foundations
The American political system is rich in history. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of American government, you will need to learn this history and recognize the ways in which it impacts the political landscape today.
This unit will begin with a brief introduction to the course as well as a concise overview of the American political system. You will focus on broad-based questions and explore the defining characteristics of American government. Next, you will work to identify the origins of American republican democracy, learning how it developed and evolved into our current political system. Finally, you will conclude by examining the key principles embedded in the United States Constitution, particularly federalism, and relate its design and development to the unique American political system we have in place today.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 18 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- distinguish between different forms of government and democracy, underscoring the American political system;
- analyze the exercise and use of power within a society;
- explain the fundamental principles in the Declaration of Independence;
- analyze the flaws in the Articles of Confederation;
- explain the need for a Constitutional Convention to address the flaws in the current governmental system;
- identify the various plans put forth by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in regards to representation and slavery;
- describe how the arguments put forth in The Federalist Papers advocated the need for a stronger government;
- compare and contrast the differences between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists during the Constitution's ratification process;
- explain the importance of minority rights in a democracy;
- describe the principles embedded in the Constitution, including separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism;
- discuss how the Constitution has served as a living document by having the ability to be interpreted over time;
- explain how federalism functions as a power-sharing arrangement between the national and state governments; and
- describe the various types of federalism that exist on the state and national levels.
1.1: The Challenge of Democracy and the American Political System
Read over this brief list of questions, which will be addressed over the course of Unit 1. You should use it as a guide before each subunit to help you determine some of the most important material to be covered. At the end of the unit, use it as a resource for reviewing important terms and concepts.
1.1.1: The Purpose, Role, and Impact of Government
Read this section. Politics is essentially the exercise and use of power within a society. Various types of power are used within different political systems. This reading provides a foundation for understanding the democratic form of government as practiced in the United States.
Use these slides prepared by Dr. Scott as a reference for taking notes while watching the Introduction to Democracy lectures in this unit.
Watch this introductory lecture on democracy and American government from Dr. Scott's podcast. The first five minutes are a brief overview of the course, specific to Dr. Scott's class at Missouri State University. The content explained in the overview will be helpful; however, do not pay attention to the course requirements or assignments.
1.1.2: Meanings of Democracy
Watch this introductory lecture on democracy and American government.
While democracy is governed by its most popularly understood principle, majority rule, it cannot be the only expression of supreme power in a democracy. The majority would too easily tyrannize the minority. The Founding Fathers understood this and worked to fashion a government that would balance these two concepts.
Checkpoint
- Receive a grade
Answer these ungraded questions to see how well you have understood the course material in this section.
1.2: The Constitution
Use these slides prepared by Dr. Scott as a reference for taking notes while watching the Constitution lectures this unit.
Watch these lectures to gain some general understanding of important terms and concepts for learning about the Constitution.
Read this chapter, which provides a solid background on the events leading up to the first American political system, the principles embedded in the Constitution, and how the media depicts the Constitution and constitutional issues. This text will feature prominently throughout this course. The authors offer a unique perspective on government and politics and their relationship to media in the 21st century. Each chapter ties media to the particular institution, process, or policy area under study, and presents the most common media depictions of its subject.
1.2.1: Historical Underpinnings – Colonial Times and Independence
In order to understand how American government works, it is important to grasp why it was created. This brief history compiled by the National Archives explains some of the problems that the Founding Fathers faced when America was a colony under British rule. These grievances shaped American thought and greatly influenced the formation of the American government. The language used in the Declaration of Independence provides some insight into how Founding Fathers designed the Constitution in a way that would prevent tyranny of the majority.
1.2.2: Early Government – The Articles of Confederation
Read this excerpt, which provides background information on the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States. Adopted in 1781 during the throes of the Revolutionary War, the Articles eventually produced too weak a government. These articles explain some of its most glaring defects. Representatives of the states later held a constitutional convention to address these weaknesses.
1.2.3: The Constitutional Convention of 1787 – Debates and Compromises
Read the Preamble to the Constitution and the associated annotations.
Read this article, which provides some background information on the concerns of the Founding Fathers – tyranny, representation, and slavery, to name a few – and the compromises they were forced to make when drafting the Constitution. This article outlines the times and the principles that shaped and continue to influence American political culture and showcases textbook examples of the art of political compromise.
1.2.4: Constitutional Principles
Watch this two-part presentation about the core principles and structure of the Constitution.
1.2.5: The Ratification Debate – Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Read this article for background information on the role that the Bill of Rights played in securing ratification of the Constitution. Led by vocal anti-federalist factions, several states were concerned about the national government overreaching its power and insisted that the Constitution include provisions for guaranteeing individual liberties. Be sure to consider the discussion questions at the end of the article.
Read this short excerpt about the Federalist Papers. This excerpt explains how advocates of ratification tried to convince the public to support the Constitution. The Federalist Papers, which were 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, outlined the philosophy and motivation of the proposed system of government, and served (and continue to serve) as a primary source for interpretation of the Constitution. This excerpt provides background information on the Federalist Papers and should serve as a reference point when you read Federalist 10 and 51.
Read Federalist 10 and 51, two of the most famous Federalist Papers written by James Madison. These are among the most highly regarded of all American political writings. For Federalist 10, identify why Madison believes that the Constitution provides for a form of government that will control factionalism and fulfill the will of the people. Federalist 51 addresses the means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in a democracy, and advocates a separation of powers within the national government. One of its most important ideas is the oft-quoted phrase "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition".
1.2.6: The Constitution Today – A Living Document
Read this short excerpt on how the Constitution has been interpreted over time. The framers realized that they could not possibly plan for every circumstance or situation. As such, they provided an amendment process by which the Constitution and its laws could be modified as society grew and changed.
Read these annotated amendments to the Constitution.
Read this short excerpt about the idea that the Constitution is a "living document", which implies that interpretation of the Constitution must evolve to meet the needs of contemporary society.
Checkpoint
- Receive a grade
Answer these ungraded questions to see how well you have understood the course material in this section.
1.3: Federalism
Federalism is the American political system's arrangement of powers and responsibilities among national and state governments. The Constitution specifies exclusive and concurrent powers for national and state governments. Other powers are implied and determined by day-to-day politics.
Select and read one of Alexander Hamilton's Federalist Papers (16 or 17). In both of these essays, Hamilton argues the need for a strong national government to unify the country, and seeks to address concerns that the proposed Constitution will lead to tyranny.
Also read James Madison's Federalist 39, which strikes a more conciliatory tone towards the federal aspects of the government (Hamilton only expounds on the national aspects). Madison believes that only a republican form of government can carry forward the principles of the Revolution and demonstrate that self-government is both possible and practical.
1.3.1: Defining Federalism
Watch this two-part presentation on the key elements of federalism in the American political system. Layer cake federalism (also known as "dual federalism") describes a certain form of federalism, in which the national and state governments have distinct realms of authority that do not overlap and should not intrude. This form of federalism is in direct contrast to marble cake or cooperative federalism, which is based on a mixing of authority and programs among the national, state, and local governments.
1.3.2: Federalism in Practice
Watch this two-part presentation on cooperative and fiscal federalism. While fiscal federalism has resulted in federal monies for states in a wide variety of areas – agricultural, transportation, and research – some states have expressed concern about burdensome regulations and requirements. In recent years, there has been a push to return power to the states (devolution), placing the burden of a wide range of domestic programs on state governments so that they can design programs in a way that suits their own residents.
The Democratic and Republican parties stand for different principles with regard to federalism. Democrats prefer policies to be set by the national government. They opt for national standards for consistency across states and localities, often through attaching stringent conditions to the use of national funds. Republicans usually decry such centralization and endorse giving powers to the states and reducing funds for the national government. These differences reveal the parties' divergent political ideologies on the "proper" role of government.
1.3.3: Federalism in History
Read this report. The authors identify several significant eras and events in the evolution of American federalism and provide a description of each.
Checkpoint
- Receive a grade
Answer these ungraded questions to see how well you have understood the course material in this section.
Unit 1 Assessment
- Receive a grade
Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.