GOVT-2305 Federal Government
GOVT-2305 Federal Government
GOVT-2305 Federal Government
Why Government?
Order: Prevent chaos. Generally other governments fell because of chaos.
Liberty
Equality
Power: Who gets contracts? Who we buy guns from? This alone can run a government, but
eventually could be overthrown.
Safety Value Moments: Where the ruled are no longer scared of death.
Authority: Belief in the people in power. That they have the legal right to do what they need to
do. Better than just power.
Legitimacy: It is the belief that it is right for them to have the right to have that authority.
Questioned legitimacy when popular vote won for Al Gore but not electoral college.
Constitution has the legitimacy.
Legitimate Power: Most important
Types of Government
Totalitarian: Complete/unlimited power. No check on power like the constitution (or even
morally).
Authoritarian: Some limit like constitution or customs even.
Monarchy: Hereditary leader. Not by merit. AKA vestigial king (owner).
Democracy: Everyone has a voice.
Communism: 1800s, 1900s, gives power to the people differently from what we know.
Fascism: Type of totalitarian, no limits to power still. No stability. Leader can change the rules
whenever he feels like it. Worst form second to theocracy.
Theocracy: Run by the word of god.
Aristocracy: People with the education
Plutocracy: People with the money
Confederal: Member states have all the power.
Federal: We made this government. Before, only unitary and confederal. Power shared among
different levels and different branches of government.
Unitary: All power in the central government
Confederal: All power in the member states.
Direct Democracy
Everyone comes together to meet. Not possible to come all together so we do representative
democracy.
Initiative: People can put stuff on the ballot to vote on it by petition.
Referendum: People can refer things to the citizens to vote on it. (Stadium)
Recall: Call someone out of office and then have them run an election again.
Approaches that influence those who determine public policy
Voting
Lobbying or contacting policymakers: Can spend as much money as you want to change the
outcome of an election. However, you must be born and naturalized citizen, but corporations?
Each side spends like 1 billion dollars.
Writing letters to the paper: Not much effect because not many people read. Many people read
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 1
Writing letters to the paper: Not much effect because not many people read. Many people read
blogs now. Perhaps counter corporations with free social networking.
Representative Democracy: England has a vestigial queen though.
Republic ( can not have a Vestigial King)
Democratic Republic
Universal Suffrage: Everyone should be able to vote unless you give it away or lose it (felony).
Majority Rule: Whoever wins the election, gets to rule, but not unconditionally. But what if
49-51 split? Then we use bill of rights, rather than protecting a few groups, protect individuals.
Minority Protections/Bill of Rights
Constitutional Democracy: Know the rules in writing and upfront.
Limited Government: Government can't just come in and do whatever.
Political Philosophy
Ancient Philosophers
Socrates: Inventor of logic, search for the truth. Never wrote anything though. Wouldn't take
questions, asked them questions to let them learn themselves.
Plato: Wrote a lot as his student. Tried to design a perfect government, a republic (Wrote the
book of the same name). Hated democracy, because Socrates got himself killed. A good
guardian would always do the right thing. A king should be a philosopher.
Aristotle: There are 3 types of people. Taught Alexander the Great. Said that there are men of
appetite, spirit (motivated by what he believes in (firemen, police, teachers)), thinker (should
be king, Wrote Politics
Bridge
Saint Thomas Aquineas: Beginning of the personal god, because god is everywhere. Bridge
between.
Age of Enlightenment
Jean Jacques Rousseau: Social Contract/Equality/No Oppression
Thomas Hobbes: Our selfish motives; w/o government, life poor, brutish, short, wrote
Leviathan
John Locke: Consent of the governed, Life, Liberty, and Property; wrote Second Treatise of
Civil Government, the government is under a social contract, if people were source of
authority, then can only legitimately act as long as unalienable rights protected
Baron de Montesqueiu: Separation of Powers; Charles the second, avoid oppression by
separating the power to write law (legislation), carry law out (executive), and to judge and
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 2
separating the power to write law (legislation), carry law out (executive), and to judge and
interpret (judicial)
Ideologies
Government power over issues
Economic Social
Liberal
Strong
Weak
Conservative Weak
Strong
Libertarian
Weak
Weak
Populist
Strong
Strong
Size
How big should government be?
Disasters
National Security
Private homes
Health
Education
Taxes
3:09 PM
Objectives
BACK TO THE FUTURE
THOMAS JEFFERSON AND THE LEWIS AND CLARK CORPS OF DISCOVERY
THE VOTE OF WHERE TO SPEND THE WINTER UNIVERSAL SUFFERAGE
GOVERNMENT VS POLITICS
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT
COLONIAL AMERICA : 5 sectors of politics: NE merchants; southern planters; "royalists" or
holders of royal lands, offices, and patents; shopkeepers, artisans, and laborers; and small
farmers
THE REVOLUTION
Power
RAW POWER
AUTHORITY
LEGITIMACY
DOCUMENTS
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: Complained about King George III
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION: James Madison
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
U. S. CONSTITUTION
RATIFICATION
BILL OF RIGHTS
Types of Governments
Differentiate between different types of governments.
In book:
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHERS
SOCRATES 477-399 B.C.E. (before the common era)
LOGIC, SOCRATIC METHOD, NO WRITINGS, KNOWN BY WRITINGS OF PLATO AND XENOPHON
HIS STUDENTS, HEMLOCK
PLATO,428-347 B.C.E. WROTE AFTER SOCRATES DEATH REPUBLIC, Philosopher King, Do the
right thing (Men of reason, spirit, appetite)
ARISTOTLE384-322 B.C.E. POLITICS, Authority, Ethics
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 4
French support
Baron de Montesqueiu
SEPARATION OF POWERS, Art. 1,Legislative, Art. 2 Executive, Art. 3 Judicial
WRITTEN CONSTITUTION
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1787:
VIRGINIA (Represent by population) AND NEW JERSEY (Equal representation, 2 reps from
each state, bicameral) PLANS
Maybe able to compromise because of Benjamin Franklin, respected
Create two houses
SLAVERY Art. 1 Sec. 9 - 1808:
Half of the states wanted slavery out, Quakers especially, until 1808 to figure
something out before importation banned
RATIFICATION PROMISE OF BILL OF RIGHTS
Difficulty listing everything but eventually got 10 ammendments
3/5 COMPROMISE
CONNECTICUT /GREAT COMPROMISE
Virginia Plan
Divided power between a legislature, executive, and judiciary
Checks and Balances
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 6
RATIFICATION
The Federalist Papers: New York Independent Paper, Madison and Adam
An attempt to persuade the public to support the new form of government
Federalist #10 and Federalist #51 provide an excellent view of James Madisons political theory
concerning human nature
ARTICLE ONE
The Legislature
BICAMERAL
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 7
BICAMERAL
ONE EQUAL REPRESENTATION BY STATE
ONE BY POPULATION
ART. One Sec.8 Congress (18 mays)
Collect taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce with foreign, rule of naturalization,
coin money, punish counterfeiting, establish post office and roads, promote science
and art progress for limited time, constitute tribunals inferior to Supreme Court,
punish piracies and felonies on high seas, declare war, raise and support armies,
provide and maintain navy, make rules for government and regulation of forces,
organize, arming, and disciplining militia, exercise exclusive legislation, make laws
which are necessary for carrying execution powers vested by Constitution
ART One Sec. 9 Congress (8 may nots)
ART One Sec. 10 States (3 may nots)
ARTICLE TWO
The President
EXECUTIVE POWER
COMMANDER IN CHIEF
VETO
TREATIES/ADVICE & CONSENT/ SENATE
GRANT REPRIEVES AND PARDONS EXCEPT IN CASES OF IMPEACHMENT
ARTICLE THREE
The Judiciary
SEC. 1 JUDICIAL POWER VESTED IN SUP. CT. JUDGES PROTECTED
SEC. 2 POWER EXTENDS TO ALL CASES,LAW & EQUITY ARISING UNDER
CONSTITUTION,LAWS,TREATIES, AUTHORITY,ETC.
ARTICLE FOUR
The States
FULL FAITH AND CREDIT
PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES FOR EACH CITIZEN
RENDITION/ EXTRADITION
LIMITATIONS
REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT
ARTICLE FIVE
Amendment Process
2/3 EACH HOUSE
SPECIAL CONVENTION CALLED BY 2/3 STATE LEGISLATURES
RATIFICATION OF 3/4 STATE LEGISLATURES
SPECIAL CONVENTION
Chapter 3: Federalism
Thursday, May 29, 2014
3:23 PM
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT
UNITARY
CONFEDERAL
FEDERAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF FEDERALISM
SHARED POWER
LAYER CAKE FEDERALISM
INDIVIDUAL SPHERES OF AUTHORITY
FEDERAL SUPREMACY IN CONFLICTS
CERTAIN DUTIES FOR EACH LEVEL AND BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT
LOCAL POWERS
DILLONS RULE
LOCAL GOVTS ONLY HAVE POWERS IN AREAS DESIGNATED BY THEIR STATE
39 STATES FOLLOW DILLONS RULE 1868 IOWA CASE
DUAL FEDERALISM
Layer Cake Federalism
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 10
Art 2
Art 3
Executive
Judicial
Fed
State
Loc
COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM
MARBLE CAKE FEDERALISM
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Sent relief to the people and states with:
NEW DEAL
COMMERCE CLAUSE
INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT
ART.1 SEC.8
SHERMAN ANTI-TRUST ACT
INCOME TAX AMENDMENT 16TH: What made it possible
See comparison of dual and cooperative federalism
Cake chart
THREAT TO PACK THE COURT
SUPREME COURT REJECTS NEW DEAL PROGRAMS
FDR THREATENS TO ENLARGE AND PACK THE COURT
PROPOSED PROGRAMS ALTERED TO MEET CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
WPA, TENNESEE VALLEY AUTHORITY, JOBS PROGRAMS, ETC.
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 11
TRENDS
DEVOLUTION REVOLUTION (CLINTON)
IDEOLOGICAL INFLUENCE
INFLUENC BASED ON WHO BENEFITS AND WHO PAYS
INCREASING NEEDS SCARCE RESOURCES
SUPREME COURT
MORE LIMITED VIEW OF COMMERCE CLAUSE
U.S. v. LOPEZ
PRINZ v. U.S.
U.S. v. MORRISON
THINGS TO UNDERSTAND AT THE END OF THIS CHAPTER
Unitary Systems
Confederal Systems
Federal System/Federalism
Concurrent Powers
Reserved Powers
Implied powers
Checks and Balances
McCulloch v. Maryland
Formula Grants
Categorical Grants
Project Grants
Block Grants
Dual Federalism
Cooperative Federalism
The New Deal
The Great Society
New Federalism One
New Federalism Two
The Devolution Revolution
Presidents associated with ( Cooperative Federalism, The New Deal, The Great Society, New
Federalism One, New Federalism Two and The Devolution Revolution)
Definition of Federalism
McCulloch v. Maryland: Can do whatever is needed to carry out 1-17 in Article 1, Section 8.
Delegated Powers
Implied Powers
Separation of Powers
Reserved Powers
PERIODS OF FEDERALISM (Dual Federalism, Cooperative Federalism, New Deal, Great Society,
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 13
PERIODS OF FEDERALISM (Dual Federalism, Cooperative Federalism, New Deal, Great Society,
New Federalism One, New Federalism Two, Devolution Revolution
TYPES OF GRANTS (Categorical Grants, Formula Grants, Project Grants, Block Grants, Revenue
Sharing)
THE PRESIDENTS ASSOCIATED WITH :
The New Deal (Roosevelt), The Great Society(Lyndon Johnson), New Federalism One(Nixon),
New Federalism Two(Reagan), The Devolution Revolution(Clinton)
3:13 PM
Style of Representation
Trustee: Watches money, see that the money is wisely spent (manages), Tries to do what's
best/right for the country/state, Know more than the average citizen
Delegate: Does what the people they represent want
Politico: Guided by political career, only want to get reelected no matter what
Conscience: People like Jimmy Carter, do the right thing
Symbolic
Text: Sociological (like me) vs Agency (accountable to me Representation
Results of Representation
SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act)
PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act)
FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act): AT&T and other telecoms let NSA tap, see
metadata
Who is being represented?
Effect of broad based online mobilization
Is Congress still the most representative institution in Govt. Post Citizens United
Movie: Unelected the Lobby
Constitutional Features
Article One
Originally the dominant branch
Reapportionment/Redistricting: Reapportioning done every 10 years, Redistricting used to
be same, but can happen anytime. Votes need to be roughly equal with redistricting.
State legislatures draw lines
2003 Texas midterm redistricting
Gerrymandering/dilution, vote packing/cracking, illegal if the vote is worth less for
protected classes (Not democrats or republicans, Religion and others are)
Bicameral
Electors = Representatives+Senators
Election of senators not direct originally until 17th amendment
Lost power in 20th century
1880-1890: World power
Original Gerrymandering: Gerry, looked a dragon
Qualifications
House
435 members
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 15
House
435 members
Age
25 years
Terms
2 years
Citizenship
7 years
Resident of state
Party
Dem. Or Rep.
TV Friendly
Educated
Senate
100 members
Age
30 years
Citizenship
9 years
Resident of state
Party
Dem. Or Rep.
TV Friendly
Educated
Usually lawyer
Committees
House
20 standing in house
21 standing in senate
200 subcommittees
Select committees
Investigate 9-11
Joint committees
Common is joint conference, Senate and Rep together, bill must go to president
together identical
Committee Structure
Power of Committees
Types of Congressional committees
Standing Committees
Select
Joint
Conference
House Rules
Selection of Committee Members
Speaker for rep is majority, for senate selected
Bill Process
Article I Section 7
Bill introduced to house and senate -> Referred to House Committee and Senate
Committee -> Subcommittees -> Full Committee -> Rules Committee Action (Rep only) ->
Debate -> Conference Action (Needs to be similar) -> Compromise bill for each house ->
President
If there are differences between the House version of the bill and the Senate version of the
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 16
If there are differences between the House version of the bill and the Senate version of the
bill, the bill will be sent to a conference committee. Members of each chamber selected by
the leaders will attempt to reach a compromise on the bill.
The House and Senate vote on the bill as reported by the conference committee.
Leadership
House
Senate
Speaker
Majority Leader
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Minority Leader
Party Whips
Party Whips
435 Members with 2 year teams 100 members with 6 year terms
Redistricting
Formerly every 10 years -> Not since Texas
State legislatures draw district lines -> Often very political (Gerrymandering)
Unconstitutional -> Vote Packing, Cracking based on race (Packing: Cracking: Small pieces)
Gender
After steady increases in the number of women serving in Congress, the 112th will see a
decline
74-360 Rep, 17-83 Senate
Demographics of Congress
More Educated
More Wealthy
Number of Millionares
Key Terms
Patronage
Pork Barrel legislation
Earmarks
Private Bill
Interest Group influence
Leadership PACs raise money for leading members to distribute
DEBATE
Closed rule
Open rule
Filibuster
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 17
Filibuster
Cloture
Oversight
Appropriations
3:53 PM
Still Today
The presidency is a much stronger position than it was originally and throughout the 1800s
Reasons
Isolationist
Agrarian society
Not a world power
No radio, TV, instant news, internet
Models
Whig weak
Stewardship broad robust
Modern central figure power
Formal Qualifications
35 years
Natural born citizen
Resident 14 years
Informal Qualifications
Public scrutiny
Ability to raise money
Education
Image
Oratorical skills
TV/Physical Appearance
New Cabinet
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet
In addition to Vice President
SECT. AGRICULT.
SECT. COMMERCE
SECT. DEFENSE
SECT. EDUCATION
SECT. ENERGY
SECT. H.H.S.
DEPT. HOMELAND SECURITY
SECT. HUD
SECT. INTERIOR
ATTY. GEN. JUSTICE DEPT.
SECT. LABOR
SECT. STATE
SECT. TRANSPORTATION
SECT. TREASURY
SECT. VET. AFFAIRS
EPA
DIRECTOR OMB
CHIEF OF STAFF
U.S. TRADE REP.
OF. NAT.DRUG CONTROL POLI CY
Powers
Judicial reprieves, pardons, appointments
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 20
Domestic Policy
Emergency powers
Media focus
State of the Union address
Leadership
Persuasion
National guard
Informal Powers
Popularity-Eisenhower
Eloquence-Kennedy
Personality Charm-Clinton
Fear of Payback-Johnson
Bully Pulpit-Reagan
Executive Power
Chief of state
Chief diplomat
Chief of cabinet
Commander in chief
Legislative Powers
Veto
State of the Union
Bully pulpit
1970s-
TV likability factor
Aids to Winning
Popular in big states
Governor
Balanced Ticket (changing)
Stamina
Win early
Survive
Super Tuesday(20 states)
Institutional Presidency
Use of cabinet
Executive office of president
OMB
Council of economic advisors
Office of US trade rep
2:06 PM
DFW
Located halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth
World's 4th busiest international airport
US Mail
167.9 billion processed in 2011
554 million average processed each day
Constitutional Authority
Art 1, Sec 8, Clause 18
Necessary and proper carrying into execution vested by Const. in Gov. of US or any Department or
Officer thereof
Art 2 calls for President to manage
First Departments
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 23
First Departments
State
War
Justice
Treasury
Responses
INS/USCIS
Commerce
Interstate Commerce Commission
Labor
OSHA
Depression
New Deal Programs
Public Works Administration (1933)
Tennessee Valley Authority (1933)
Federal Housing Administration (1934)
Securities and Exchange Comm. (1934)
Social Security Administration (1935)
National Labor Relations Board (1935)
Types of Agencies
Departments: 15 cabinet agencies
Independent agencies (FDA, EPA)
Independent Regulatory commissions
SEC, FCC heads terms last longer than president, some require appointees/both parties
Government corporations (for huge unprofitable operations LSC, FDIC, USPS, Pension Benefit Guarantee
Corp., Am Track)
Privatization
Controversial
Claims cost savings not supported by data
Inconsistent service and delivery to all
Inability to hold private companies accountable
Lobby Problems
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 24
Lobby Problems
Enron
World Com
Jack Abramoff
Black Water
No Bid Contracts
Bailouts
Types of Organization
Hierarchy
Impersonality Team
Written Rules
Promotion based on achievement
Specialization
Efficiency
Realistic Bureaucracy
Policy Triangles
Client Groups
Biased/Self serving
Revolving door
Entrenchment
Restricted by public opinion
Idealistic Bureaucracy
Ideal hierarchy
Dedication
Expertise
Neutrality
Informed
Protects public's interests
Not ladder climbing
Periods of Development
Patronage
Pendleton Act
Merit system
16th Amendment 1913
New Deal 30's
Hatch Act 39's
Whistle Blower Legislation
2:05 PM
Adversarial System
US Judge impartial and relatively inactive
Inquisitorial systems judge is investigator and advocate
Dual court system
State and federal courts
Interpretive Power
Case law/Common law
Stare decisis
Case by case interpretation
Torts, contracts, property, etc
Criminal law is statutory
Sources of Law
Sources
Constitutional
Statutory
Regulations
Categories of Law
Criminal law: capital, felony, misdemeanor
The body of activity which the government has determined for it will not tolerate and for which it will
impose a fine or imprisonment or both
Civil law: everything else
Supreme Court
Rule of four
Writ of cert most common (70-80)
Circuits disagree
Cases of great import or novelty
Lower Courts
Courts of appeal
12 regular circuits and one for patents and trade disputes
Hear arguments on briefs
May reverse, revise?, remand, affirm, or do any in part
Majority opinions, dissenting opinions, concurring opinions
Intermediate Appellate Cts.
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 26
District Courts
94
At least one per state
Trial jurisdiction
The trial courts of the federal system
Court Structure
Supreme court appellate&tr.
Courts of appeal appellate only
Federal district courts trial only
Specialized courts
Types of Cases
Diversity
$75,000 in issue
Federal question
Supreme Court hears appeals from highest state courts
Requirements
Must have standing
Case or controversy
Ripeness
75k unless fed. Question
Must not have mootness
Hypothetical question
Advisory opinions
Criminal law
Fines
Imprisonment
Probation & Deferred adjudication
Construction
Loose construction
Strict construction
Judicial Activism
Changing Judiciary
3:40 PM
Public Opinion
Vital role/Collective opinions of a society
Determines leadership styles and leaders through electoral process
Many apathetic/ignorant on many issues
Americans show some interest in major issues but generally know little about government
Unstable, Uninformed
1 in 5 thought President was a Muslim or born outside US
Political Culture
Political Socialization
Agents of Socialization
Gaps gender, race, age
Ideology
Liberal
Conservative
Populist
Libertarian
Public Opinion
Democratic governments should reflect the will of the people
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 28
Stability of Beliefs
Levels of trust in government
Uprising in the middle east
Participation
Conservatives and liberals differ on some economic, social, and foreign issues and this sometimes forms
the national debate
Efficacy and factors affecting participation
A. Membership in an interest group is the second most common form
B. Contributions to public interest interest groups or single issue interest groups
Issue Positions
Do Americans wait for the facts?
Hot button issues
Sources of information
Scholarly/Accurate/Peer reviewed
Interest
Magazines
Newspapers
Television
Radio
Is short term public opinion always for the long term public good?
Public opinion affects government's agenda
a. Party platforms
b. Behavior of candidates and legislative bodies
Legislative bodies
c. Elected judicial officials
Polling History
Gallop founded polling also criticized flaws in the Literary Digest poll (1936) (Alf Landon to beat
Roosevelt)
Gallop and Roper were both right
Election night polls (Dewey beats Truman 1948)
University of Michigan first university based polling center (1952)
Kennedy hires Louis Harris (1960)
Americans opinions: Most are moderates
Polling
Random sampling
Cluster sampling
Sampling Accuracy modifiers
Persons polled
Question types
Interviewer
Current Issues
Economy
Affordable Health Care Act
Bailout
Iraq
Afghanistan
Iran
North Korea
Syria
Crimea
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 30
Crimea
3:24 PM
Fracking
Environmentalist
Industry
Lobbyists
Money
Collective Action
Motivation for participation
Impact of technology
Impact of social media
Accessing the effect of global community
Greece financial crisis, Arab spring, etc
Staying Around
Financial incentives
Benefits
Magazines
Recognition
Group ID
Chavez
Methodology
Focus on congress
Get access
Hired guns/lobbyists
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 33
Hired guns/lobbyists
Think tanks
Pluralist Theory competing interest groups
Mobilize members
Raise money
Elect friends
Defeat enemies
Keep members by benefits/(AARP)
Super PACs & PACs
Iron Triangles
Electioneering
Highlight similar circumstances
Group identity
Eisenhower's Warning
Military Industrial Complex
Unwarranted influence
Misplaced power
450 billion to private contractors
Halliburton
Bechtel Corporation
Only six bidders on Iraq infrastructure contact
Billion dollars in no bid contracts
Iron Triangles
Congress persons need money
Business interests need friends
Agencies which regulate businesses are funded by the legislature
Remedies
Litigation
Demonstrations
Revelation
Regulation
Legislation
2:54 PM
Political Parties
Responsible party model
To win elections
Get steering wheel to govt.
Historic parties
Dealignment (normative and deviating elections)
Realignment (leave one party to go to another)
Third parties
Key Features
Moderating Effect of Winner Take All System
Enormous Cost of Campaigns
The Big Two
Third Parties
Splinter Parties
Independents
Party Organization
Hard money, soft money, and 527s
Hard money was used for campaigning; soft money was for party building
2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act outlawed soft money
527s: nonprofits that can campaign for, but not coordinate with the candidates
Citizens United allows unlimited, anonymous donations via interest groups; significant impact
Organization
Two Party system:
Primaries (Closed/Open/Blanket/Dual)
Precinct conventions
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 36
Precinct conventions
County and senatorial district conventions
State convention
National convention
General election
Today's Indicators
Dissatisfaction with traditional power structure
Protest voting
Loose majority vs. super majority
Bi-partisanship (is it possible to have?)
Types of candidates
Characteristics of candidates
2:10 PM
Elections in America
Presidential elections: held every 4 years on the first Tuesday in November
Congressional elections: held every 2 years on the first Tuesday in November
Types of Elections
Four types of elections:
Primary (Not always necessary)
Runoff (Need more than 50% otherwise this occurs)
General
Referendum elections (Voting to put stuff on the legislature that have been put on the ballot)
Proposed laws placed on the ballot for statewide vote
Primaries
Parties voters choose candidates who will run in the general elections
Primaries do not elect people to office
Open vs. Closed Primaries
Voters can participate in either party primary, or not
Voters do not register with party affiliations
States may have caucuses; members meet and vote in the open (usually small)
Direct Democracy
Legislative referenda: all 50 states' legislature refers policy to the public for a popular vote
Popular referenda and initiative: 24 states. Citizens petition to play issues on the ballot for a vote
Bypass legislature
Often controversial and/or expensive policies
Recall : 18 states, citizens vote to remove elected official from office
Electoral College
Founders created electoral college because citizens were not trusted to make a good decision
Even today, citizens do not directly vote for president, but rather for electors
State electoral votes = number of US Representatives + Senators (2)
All states but Maine and Nebraska allocate all electors to the popular vote winner
California 55, Texas 38, Florida/NY 29
Campaign organization
Candidates have managers
Managers run webmasters, fundraisers, media consultants, public opinion pollsters, researchers and
speechwriters, press aides, advance scheduling team
Also coordinator of field organization and organized groups -> Party workers, Organized groups,
City/county offices
Election Campaigns
Advisers
Professional strategic decisions about organization, budgeting, and executing the campaign
Fundraisers
Identify donors, find allies for indirect spending
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 38
Presidential Elections
Contemporary Party Conventions
Ratify the decisions made in primaries
Enact any new rules for future delegate selection
Draft party platforms
Present candidates and party platforms to voters
9:05 AM
The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august
claims have been born of earnest struggle. If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who
profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the
ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its
many waters. "
-Frederick Douglass
Civil Liberties
Listed in the constitution
Protect the individual from government intrusion
Majority rule with minority and even individual protection
First Amendment
Establishment Clause
Prevents an official church
Government can aid religious institutions as long as it does not favor some over others
Wall of Separation
Lemon test:
Government involvement must have a secular purpose
Its effect is neither to advance nor to inhibit religion and
It does not entangle government and religious institutions in each other's affairs
Religion
Jehovah's witnesses
Prayer in schools
State support of religious schools
Practice v. belief
Controversial Rights
Those in favor of the unpopular, EX: Defendants
Status changes, EX: Civil Rights
Contrary but strongly held opinion, EX: Elian Gonzales, Cuban boy in Fla.
Morality issues, EX: Pornography
Balancing Test
Constitutionally protected right V. Legitimate governmental interest
EX: 4th amendment V. Police power
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 40
Fourteenth Amendment
Privileges and immunities
Due process
Equal protection
Honor roll of civil liberties
Incorporation
State action
Freedom of Speech
Political speech
Highly protected by strict scrutiny, legal standards
Must establish "compelling reasons" and narrowing defined to limit
Includes actions express political ideas
Ex: Financial contributions to political causes, protests
Protected unless leads to immediate harm (clear and present danger)
There are a few time and place limitations
Ex: fire in theatre, telling at night in a neighborhood
Speech
Schenck, Gitlow
Clear and present danger
Clear and probably
Imminent danger/threat
Pornography
Obscenity
Incitement to riot
Speech
Schenck v. US (1919) clear & present danger
Gitlow v. NY (1969) clear and probable
Brandenbrurg v. Ohio (1969) immediate threat
Symbolic speech tinker v. Des Moines ISD
Political speech Occupy Street
Texas v. Johnson (1989) flag burning
Unprotected Speech
Obscenity
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 41
Obscenity
Pornography/Internet pornography
Defamation/libel/slander
Campus speech
Hate speech on the internet
Commercial Speech
Commercial speech is not nearly as protected as political speech
Typically, a government need only have a rational reason to ban an advertisement
People can face consequences for perfectly legal speech if employers deem it problematic
Civil liberties protect the right to express views
There is no right to be employed or supported by the employer, public, or others who disagree
Obscenity
Near v. Minn (1931) prior restrain
Roth v. US (1957) utterly w/o redeeming social importance
Times v Sullivan (1971) politicians public figures
Pentagon papers times v. US
Interesting Cases
New Braunsfels - High school Sr. Marilyn Manson T-shirt
Oprah Winfrey Mad Cow veggie libel law
Boca Raton Ban on cemetery displays
Birdville, Texas leaflet distribution
Alabama case - The Ten Commandments
The Press
National Security
Privacy
Elsvert/Pentagon Papers
Watergate
War/Grenada Gulf War
Privacy
Griswold v. Conn. Recognized right
Penumbra Rights
(1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th)
Row v. Wade (1973)
Abortion
Lawrence v. Tx (2003)
Homosexual conduct
Fourth Amendment
Weeks v. U.S. Exclusionary rule applied to federal cases
Mapp v. Ohio Exclusionary Rule applied to states
Trial Rights
Duncan v. La. (1968) trial by jury
Betts v. Brady and Gideon v. Wainwright
Right to counsel fed and state
Powell v. Ala. (1968) right to counsel in death penalty cases
Furman v. Ga. (1972) suspended death penalty (back in Gregg v. Ga.)
Atkins v. Va mentally retarded/Roper v. Simmons under 18
3:22 PM
African Americans
Explorers, slaves, freemen, and servants
1500's Spanish and Portuguese:
Estavanico
Jamestown 1619
Slavery
Emancipation
Reconstruction
Elect 14 house 2 senate
1877 Black Codes
Lynching
Segregation
Integration
Latinos
Many groups
Mexico and Americans in the southwest
Mexico opens Texas to settlement 1821
Abolition of slavery in Mexico, 1827 Cohuilla y Texas 1829 all
Pledge of allegiance
Mexican Repatriation
Millions of Mexican American citizens sent to Mexico 1929-39
President Hoover uses them as scapegoats for the depression
Population growth
Increased power in the SW
Key electorial states
Gains in local governments
Women's Movement
1830s
American Female moral reform society (double standard in prostitution cases)
1840 world anti-slavery convention
Lucretia Mot T
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Seneca Falls
1848 Women's Rights Convention
Mary Ann Mc Clintock, Jane Hunt, and Martha Wright
Declaration of Sentiments
Rochester Women's Rights Convention, Abigail Bush
Right to vote and equal pay
Separate sphere
Sufferage
15th amendment
AERA (American Equal Rights Association) did not support 15th amendment
NWSA (National Woman Suffrage Association) Lucy Stone sufferage supported 15th Amendment
NWSA (National Woman Suffrage Association) litigation strategy 1869-1875
"The revolution"
NAWSA
19th Amendment
Amicus curiae
Native Americans
All other immigrants
Northwest Ordinance
1830 policy of serparation BIA ordered to remove trives to reservations west of Miss. River
Assimilation
American Indian Movement
Wounded Knee
Alcatraz Island
Compensation
Asian Americans
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
1900 limits on immigration
Pearl Harbor 1941
Internment 1942 exec. Order FDR
Compensation to internment victims
Immigration affected by wars since 1970s
The Elderly
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (1967)
Gross v. FBL Financial Services (2009) burden switched to employee
Discrimination
1967 ADEA age discr.
1973 ADA
Gays and Lesbians
Racial Profiling
African Americans and Latino
Arab Americans
Hopwood v. Texas
No affirmative action in Texas
17th nationally ranked law school
Could not meet strict scrutiny due to the weakness of states present effects of past
Discrimination arguments when compared to the data at UT Law School
UT Law School Data
Resident Texas Students
Median Scores
GPA
LSAT
White Students
3.56
164
Black Students
3.30
158
157
Post Hopwood
Gratz v. Bollinger 2003 University of Michigan
Mechanical point system = quota
Grutter v. Bollinger 2003 U. Mich. Law School
Highly individualized (rathere than mechanical point system) school upheld
2:14 PM
Public Policy
Actions taken by the government
Policy Analysis is a subfield of political science which affects the public
Made at all levels
Study of power distribution
Outcome
Agenda Setting
Bringing attention
Health care
Energy/Global Warming
Disaster relief (Katrina)
Terrorism
Formulation
What will be done
Who will do it
At what levels of government
Iron triangles
Interest groups
Experts?
Adoption
Congress & State legislatures
Statutes
Amendments
Agencies/Bureaucracy
Regulations & Rules
Local govts
Ordinances, zoning, urban dev
Implementation
Agencies are designed to carry out policy
IRS
Social security
Create forms, set rules & regs
Law enforcement agencies
Enforce laws etc
Evaluation
Media
Public perception
Proponents and opponents
Social policy
Three goals of American social policy:
1. Help people deal with life's hazards when they are incapable of doing so on their own
a. Examples: Staying out of poverty during old age or short-term unemployment, remaining
independent when disabled.
2. Promote equality of opportunity
a. Primarily as a means to long-term economic benefits to entire society when more are
educated, employed
3. Alleviate poverty
Noncontributory programs
Benefits based on demonstrated need rather than any contributions made
Programs in this category widely called "welfare" or "public assistance"
Must demonstrate need via means tests
Federal poverty line determines whether individuals and families qualify for such benefits
Medicaid
Health insurance for the poor
Federal government provides matching funds to states
Payments to health care providers are lower than what they would receive from other insurers
Note: Doctors and hospitals do not have to take medicaid patients
Temporary Aid to Needy Families
Several benefits fall under RANF
Income, education subsidies/discounts, job training programs, and others varied by states
Role of states
Set additional standards for any additional state benefits above and beyond the federal
baseline
Almost all Americans benefit from public welfare programs at some point in their lives. The
biggest public welfare programs are contributory programs like Social Security and Medicare
AFDC/TANF unpopular among voters, elected officials, and those who do not receive it
1996 welfare reform changes
5 year lifetime limit (not more than two years at a time)
Work or education/training requirement for adults
Entire household can lose funds if kids skip school
Less cash assistance: 70%+ of TANF funds are not cash or direct payments to recipients
Note: Above practices have been in place over 15 years now
2:11 PM
Questions in 2009
Nobel Peace Prize
Will Afghanistan be another Vietnam
Where is Bin Laden
North Korea
Iran
Peace in the Middle East
Congressional Influence
Declare war
Approve treaties and ambassadors
Control funding
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 52
Control funding
Bureaucratic Influence
Department of State
Department of Defense
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Department of the Treasury
CIA
NSC (Synthesizes messages from bureaucracy to assist President in making foreign policy)
Response to 9-11
GOVT-2305 Federal Government Page 54
Response to 9-11
Afghanistan
Iraq
Bush Doctrine
Preemptive War
WMDs
Insurgency and resistance
Elections
Superpowers
United States
China
Emerging
Russia
Declining population
Loss of 14 republics
Reemergence 2008
Better economy
Oil reserves
World Trade
World Trade Organization
GATT (1948-1993 General Agreement on Tariffs & Trade) replaced by WTO (World Trade Organization)
in 1995 but still in effect under WTO
Globalization
Central American Free Trade Agreement
NAFTA