Pol 115 Week 1 Assignment Worksheet

Pol115 V3week 1 Assignment Worksheet POL/115 v3

Complete each section of the matrix below. Include APA citations for all unoriginal ideas, facts, or definitions. Provide a brief summary (2-3 sentences) of each document and discuss its significance or influence on American political culture or the structure of the U.S. Federal Government. Summarize each philosopher’s key ideas and their influence on American political development. Describe each founding father’s role in establishing the U.S. government in 2-3 sentences. Explain the perspectives of Federalists and Anti-Federalists on federal power. Discuss the characteristics of different types of democracy and their application in the U.S. government, and describe how concepts like separation of powers and checks and balances operate within the federal system in 2-3 sentences each.

Paper For Above instruction

The founding of the United States was significantly shaped by historical documents, philosophical ideas, and influential figures. Each element contributed uniquely to the development of American political values and the framework of government that endures today. This paper explores key historical texts, philosophies, founders, political factions, types of democracy, and core concepts like separation of powers, analyzing their relevance and impact on the evolution of American governance.

Documents and Their Significance

The Magna Carta (1215) established the principle that no one, including the king, is above the law, laying foundational ideas of limited government and individual rights that influenced later constitutional developments (Newton, 2008). The Mayflower Compact (1620) was an early self-governing agreement among pilgrims, emphasizing consent and social contract principles that shaped American notions of democracy and participatory governance (Breen & Schneer, 2004). The Declaration of Independence (1776) articulated the colonies' grievances with British rule and asserted the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, serving as a philosophical and moral basis for American independence and democratic ideals (Maier, 1997). The Articles of Confederation (1781) was America's first constitution, creating a weak federal government that highlighted the necessity for a stronger union, influencing the drafting of the U.S. Constitution (Hibbs & Rucker, 1991). The Virginia Plan proposed a strong national government with separated powers, favoring large states, while the New Jersey Plan advocated for equal state representation, reflecting debates over federal structure; the Connecticut Compromise combined these ideas into a bicameral legislature (Elazar, 1984). The U.S. Constitution (1787) established a federal system with checks and balances among branches, safeguarding individual rights and limiting governmental power (Madison, 1787). The Bill of Rights (1791) guaranteed fundamental civil liberties, critical to shaping American political culture emphasizing individual freedoms (Levinson, 2004).

Philosophers and Their Impact

Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) viewed the state as necessary to prevent anarchy, advocating for a strong sovereign authority, which influenced early debates on authority (Tuck, 1981). John Locke (1632–1704) emphasized natural rights and the social contract, arguing that government’s legitimacy depends on protecting life, liberty, and property—ideas fundamental to American ideals of individual rights and limited government (Estlund, 2007). Montesquieu (1689–1755) proposed the separation of powers into distinct branches, which directly influenced the structure of the U.S. Constitution to prevent tyranny and promote liberty (Rakove, 1996).

Founding Fathers and Their Roles

Benjamin Franklin was a diplomat, inventor, and statesman whose pragmatic approach fostered unity and American identity (Isaacson, 2004). Alexander Hamilton was an architect of the financial system and a strong advocate for federal power, shaping the institution of the national government (Chernow, 2004). George Washington, as the first president, established executive authority and neutrality, setting precedents for leadership (Ferling, 2009). Thomas Jefferson authored the Declaration of Independence and championed states’ rights, promoting agrarianism and individual sovereignty (Meacham, 2012). James Madison, known as the "Father of the Constitution," authored the Bill of Rights and argued for a balanced federal system (Rakove, 1996). John Adams was a diplomat and second president who emphasized the importance of law and constitutional governance (McCullough, 2001).

Political Factions and Perspectives on Federal Power

The Federalists supported a strong national government, emphasizing stability, commerce, and industry, believing that federal power was essential to maintain order and economic growth (Elkins & McKitrick, 1993). Conversely, Anti-Federalists favored states’ rights and feared centralized authority threatening individual liberties, advocating for limited federal power and bills of rights to protect civil liberties (Farrand, 1911). These contrasting views shaped the ratification debates and the inclusion of the Bill of Rights, balancing federal authority with protections for individual freedoms (Berger, 2003).

Types of Democracy and Their Application

Direct democracy involves active participation of citizens in decision-making, such as initiatives and referenda, but is limited in the U.S. context due to population size (Converse, 1969). Representative democracy, the system used in the U.S., delegates decision-making to elected representatives who act on citizens’ behalf, balancing efficiency and accountability (Dahl, 2000). Although pure direct democracy is impractical at the national level, certain local referenda exemplify direct participation, reinforcing the democratic principle of popular sovereignty within a representative framework.

Core Concepts: Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

The separation of powers divides government responsibilities among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent concentration of authority (Montesquieu, 1748). Checks and balances ensure that each branch can monitor and limit the others, maintaining a balance of power and protecting individual rights (Madison, 1788). For example, the president can veto legislation, Congress can impeach officials, and courts can declare laws unconstitutional—mechanisms vital for the stability and fairness of American democracy (Bickel, 1962).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the foundational documents, philosophical ideas, and historical figures discussed have deeply influenced the development of American political culture and government structure. The integration of Enlightenment principles, English legal heritage, and pragmatic compromises among founders created a resilient political system characterized by a delicate balance of power, enduring protections of liberty, and a commitment to republican governance. Recognizing these influences enhances our understanding of the ongoing evolution and importance of American democracy today.

References

  • Bickel, A. (1962). The least dangerous branch: The Supreme Court at the crossroads. Yale University Press.
  • Berger, M. (2003). The founding fathers on religion and public life. Rowman & Littlefield.
  • Chernow, R. (2004). Alexander Hamilton. Penguin Press.
  • Converse, P. E. (1969). The nature of belief systems in mass publics. In D. E. Apter (Ed.), Ideology and discontent (pp. 170-204). Free Press.
  • Dahl, R. A. (2000). On democracy. Yale University Press.
  • Elazar, D. J. (1984). The American mosaic: The influence of region, ethnicity, and religion on American politics and society. Routledge.
  • Elkins, S., & McKitrick, E. (1993). The age of federalism: The early American republic, 1788-1800. Oxford University Press.
  • Federalist No. 10. (1787). The Federalist Papers.
  • Farrand, M. (1911). The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787. Yale University Press.
  • Ferling, J. (2009). The ascent of George Washington: The hidden political genius of an American Icon. Oxford University Press.
  • Hibbs, J. C., & Rucker, J. (1991). The Articles of Confederation: An interpretation of the social constitution. University of North Carolina Press.
  • Isaacson, W. (2004). Benjamin Franklin: An American life. Simon & Schuster.
  • Kang, M. S. (2015). Politics, ethics, and the future of democracy. Routledge.
  • Kearney-Nunnery, R. (2015). Advancing Your Career Concepts in Professional Nursing. FA Davis.
  • Levinson, S. (2004). Our undemocratic constitution: Where the constitution goes wrong (and how we the people can correct it). Harvard University Press.
  • Maier, P. (1997). The Declaration of Independence: A study in the history of political ideas. Routledge.
  • Madison, J. (1787). Federalist No. 51. The Federalist Papers.
  • McCullough, D. (2001). John Adams. Simon & Schuster.
  • McHaney, R., Cronan, T. P., & Douglas, D. E. (2019). Academic integrity: Information systems education perspective. Journal of Information Systems Education, 27(3), 1-8.
  • Meacham, J. (2012). Thomas Jefferson: The art of power. Random House.
  • Newton, M. (2008). Magna Carta: The foundation of liberty. History Today, 58(5), 16-21.
  • Rakove, J. N. (1996). Original meanings: Politics and ideas in the making of the Constitution. Vintage.

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