Constitutional Democracy

Constitutional Democracy Monarchy Head of state is a king or queen Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Bin Turki Bin Abdullah Bin Muhammad Bin Saud and the Saudi Arabian Parliament

Constitutional Democracy Constitutional Monarchy Monarch is a ceremonial figurehead (head of state); the government is led by another entity usually a prime minister (David Cameron) who leads Parliament

Constitutional Democracy Dictatorship Single person or small group of people has governmental power Either not elected (Charles Taylor of Liberia) or “elected” through unfair elections manipulated by those in control (Saddam Hussein and the Baath Party in Iraq)

Constitutional Democracy Dictatorships (continued) Autocracy: rule of a single person such as Adolph Hitler, Benito Mussolini or Kim Jong Il Oligarchy: rule by a small group such as the Politburo of the former Soviet Union or the Politburo of present day China

Constitutional Democracy Dictatorships (continued) Authoritarian: leaders only answer to themselves, not to the people Totalitarian: complete control over all aspects of citizen’s lives—political, religious, social, cultural. . . Josef Stalin Kim, Hitler, Saddam Hussein

Constitutional Democracy Dictatorships (continued) Totalitarian governments control society through: Secret police/vast security networks Nazi Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebels Large propaganda networks

Constitutional Democracy Define the term “democracy.” Democracy come from the Greek words “demos,” which means the people, and kratos, which means authority or power. Democracy means “government by the people.”

Constitutional Democracy Are there different types of democracy? Direct democracy—citizens come together to discuss and pass laws and select leaders. Initially in English a pejorative term meaning mob rule.Ancient Athens and modern New England town meetings

Constitutional Democracy Are there different types of democracy? Representative democracy—(republic) those who have governmental authority get and retain authority directly or indirectly as a result of winning free elections in which all adult citizens are allowed to participate.

Constitutional Democracy Hey Simoncini, it’s Justina disguised as a super-smart guy. So what’s all this stuff about the benchmarks of democracy? I think our groups should discuss them.

Constitutional Democracy • Popular sovereignty • Government policies reflect popular wishes • Leaders selected through popular elections • Elections are free and fair • Popular participation • Available high-quality information • Majority rule • Political equality • Political liberty • Discuss each and provide examples of how • the U. S. does/doesn’t reflect it

Constitutional Democracy OK, that was cool. But, aren’t there objections to liberal democracy? I think we should discuss those as well.

Constitutional Democracy Majority tyranny threatens liberty Irrational and incompetent people Majoritarian democracy threatens minorities Discuss each and provide examples of how The U. S. does/doesn’t reflect it

Constitutional Democracy What is the challenge of a constitutional democracy? Citizens must be constantly engaged in judging whether power is being used wisely, or whether power is being used to corrupt and to cause an undesirable loss of rights, freedoms and liberty.

Constitutional Democracy • Government by the people requires a • segment of the population to be attentive… • It requires faith concerning our common human • enterprise • It requires people to be constantly concerned • about whether we are being tolerant and • protective of the rights and opinions of others

Constitutional Democracy This is pretty cool, Simoncini. But, I really am interested in finding out what people think about how democratic we are as a nation. May we please talk about that topic?

Constitutional Democracy • Questions about popular sovereignty • Questions about political equality • Questions about political liberty • Groups: evaluate each issue with regard to the • United States and the U. S. government.

Constitutional Democracy Oh nooooo, Haley. We have a history lesson. Simoncini, what’s next? What are the historical roots of the U. S. Government?

Democracy in England Divine Right of Kings Belief that monarchs chosen by God; thus only responsible to God Belief held in continental Europe Kings had absolute power—greater power over nobility.

Democracy in England Henry II (1154-1189) Trial by jury—no more courts of feudal lords (i.e. trial by combat) • 12 men answered questions about case • Did not decide innocence or guilt Judges’ decisions used as precedence Common law—reflected customs and principles established over time

Democracy in England King John Unpopular brother of Richard Lion Hearted Tried to raise taxes to pay for war with France (unsuccessful) Noblemen rebelled Source of the traditional British respect for individual rights and liberties Magna Carta (1215)

Democracy in England MagnaCarta • Contract between king and nobles • Limited power of monarch—had to rule according to laws • Taxes could only be levied based on “common consent of our kingdom” over time: through Parliament. • Right to due process (have law work in known & orderly ways). Protection of the law & jury trials

Democracy in England Edward I Needed funds for war with France (1295) Wanted wide support: called meeting of all nobles, knights and burgesses “What affects all, by all should be approved.” Convened the Model Parliament—voted on taxes, made reforms and laws.

Democracy in England Parliament by mid-1300s Bicameral legislature House of Commons House of Lords Nobles & bishops Knights & burgesses Controlled purse strings Further limited power of the monarch and established principle of representation.

Democracy in England Charles I (Stuart) Succeeded James I in 1625 Asked Parliament for money (via taxes) In exchange, Parliament forced Charles to accept the Petition of Right, which demanded an end to: • Taxing without Parliament’s consent • Imprisoning citizens illegally • Housing troops in private homes • Military government in peacetime

Democracy in England William & Mary Mary Stuart and William of Orange became co-rulers of England 1689 Glorious Revolution—turning point in English constitutional history. With monarch’s power limited by the Parliament, a constitutional monarchy

Democracy in England English Bill of Rights--1689 Formal summary of the rights and liberties considered essential. • Limited monarch’s power • Free speech in Parliament • Parliament had to approve any suspension of laws, taxes or forming of a peacetime army. • No excessive bail or cruel/unusual punishment • Frequent meetings of Parliament

Democracy in England How would you summarize the history of English government that we have covered thus far? • Movement toward more popular sovereignty • Movement toward a republican form of gov’t • Some attempt at separation of powers within the government & checks and balances • Movement toward more limited government • Establishment of more individual rights These are all fundamental precepts of the U. S. Constitution. But there is one more very important one. Does anyone know what it is? Federalism

Democracy in the Colonies Hey, Simoncini. This is all nice stuff. But this course is supposed to be about United States government. How does it all apply to how OUR government came about? Good point, Mr. President. All of that information is important background, as our government is derived largely from the English tradition. But, you are right. Let’s now look at the roots of American government.

Democracy in the Colonies OK, go back into your groups and brainstorm how the United States came to be, from a series of colonies to a united nation.

Democracy in the Colonies Different colonies: different reasons for colonizing. Plymouth/Mass. Bay: religious freedom Virginia: economic PA & NY: debt from Charles II to backers Georgia: a refuge for debtors; military buffer

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government Colonial governments—at first little interference from England Chesapeake: at first, almost military After riches Owned by a Joint Stock Company (corporation): a proprietary colony John Smith: took charge to save the colony. Later, the JCS appointed a governor

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government July 30, 1619—first meeting of House of Burgesses First legislative assembly in America Make local laws that could be vetoed by either the governor or the Board of Directors in England

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government Plymouth Plantation/Massachusetts Bay Religious freedom Theocracy: oligarchy (rule of a few) run by church leaders Roger Williams rebelled, promoted separation of church and state; banished; escaped and founded Rhode Island

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government Pennsylvania Granted by Charles II to William Penn, Sr. in repayment for assistance during Civil War Along with New York (New Jersey) and the Carolinas, known as a Restoration Colony Penn willed to his son, William, a Quaker, who established an open colony with universal male citizenship/suffrage. A proprietary colony—loose association with the Crown

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government From beginning, all colonies had a governor Mercantilism—colonies as a means to national wealth—push& pull Eventually, all colonies converted to royal colonies, with governors appointed by king/ parliament

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government The colonies also had different economic activities as well as geographic aspects New England-- mountainous, rocky soil, fishing, lumber, crafts The South— warm, moist climate; mostly agricultural economy with crops that grew well in that climate; slave-based economy

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government England’s American colonies began to be economically profitable Tobacco, rice, indigo, fish, lumber, crafts, wheat and other commodities American colonists: individualism; would not always push raw materials to England or pull finished goods from England (Spain, France) Navigation Acts: 1650-1696—Parliament passed laws forcing all commodities from colonies to pass through England on English ships Parliament appointed governors, customs officers, other officials to enforce Navigation Acts

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government From 1650 to 1763, many “appointed” officials Purchased their commissions for selves or relatives Then stayed in England, sending “proxy” officials to represent them in the colonies Proxies were poorly paid and resorted to corrupt and extracurricular business dealings Spent much time “away” from jobs

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government Meanwhile . . . Colonies needed governing—laws, police, transportation networks, public services Following English political tradition, colonial legislatures, in place in all of the colonies, began going around the governors and other officials and “taking charge.” Popular with the people—enjoyed the idea of self-governance, but still considered themselves loyal subjects of the King

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government But, governance limited to individual colonies In fact, due to differences in economics, political differences, social differences (Southern aristocracy versus egalitarian New England, for example),other differences, significant distrust and dislike of colonies and colonial assemblies for other colonies Absolutely no thought of uniting into one comprehensive group of colonies. Rather all saw themselves as separate entities

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government 1754: Meeting of representatives of 7 British colonies and leaders of the Iroquois Nation in Albany, New York to plan defense against possible attacks from French and Native American allies(French & Indian War) At the meeting, Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union,that would include acouncil of colony representatives that could levy taxes and raise an armyas well asregulate trade with Native Americans Rejected by colonial governments

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government System of proxy British officials and powerful colonial legislatures continued until the French and Indian War—extension of Seven Years War Although a victory, the war caused conflict and animosity between colonists and British The war nearly bankrupted the British government Parliament decided to strictly enforce the Navigation Acts Appointed officials must serve at their posts Colonial legislatures lost substantial power

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government Proclamation of 1763 Taxes via Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, Coercive (Intolerable) Acts, etc. passed by Parliament in England and paid by colonists Angered colonial legislatures, but Still considered themselves loyal to King Still distrustful of other colonies First Continental Congress of 1774—first meeting of all colonies (56 delegates)

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government Even with the fighting of the American Revolution And the Declaration of Independence Colonies still distrusted one another and, because of their dislike of the King and Parliament as the war went on, colonial legislative leaders highly distrusted a strong central government for the new United States Led to the Articles of Confederation

Political Science 10: Constitutional Government Early American Political Tradition Reflective of years of English political tradition Power of colonial legislatures and distrust of a monarch and desire for popular sovereignty Weak national governmentwith most power to the states—so the early USA was a loose confederation of states Almost led to defeat in the Revolution George Washington adamant in calling for a strong national government

Independence The Second Continental Congress Met in May 1775; by June, most Delegates favored independence Congress president John Hancock Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA Selected a Committee of Five to write a Declaration of Independence

Independence The Declaration of Independence In writing the Declaration, Jefferson drew upon the writings of Enlightenment authors John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau The Second Treatise on Civil Government : natural rights

Independence Simoncini, pizza is a modern food in the U. S. Shouldn’t we translate the Declaration of Independence into modern language?

Independence Simoncini, your TA here. The Declaration is all fine and well, but there were omissions. Let’s discuss them.

Constitutional Democracy