POLI 2P97 Lecture Notes - Equal Rights Amendment, Establishment Clause, Southern Democrats
13 Apr 2014
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Document Summary
The american constitution, court system and civil liberties. Americans have little faith in the government but they have faith in the constitution. Before the revolution (1620) american colonies elected their own representatives. New england communities began with agreements between the people on how to govern themselves. Debates about what should or should not go in the constitution. Power should be limited (divided between branches- reduce the risk of any one branch becoming dominant) Rights should be protected, elections would determine the power in america. Fear that a powerful president would become king. Institutions of the state should be responsive to the people. Early debates about the constitution: how much power should be given to the people, national versus state government, separation of powers, slavery. Delegates wanted leaders to be more educated/higher class and lower class should not be able to vote. Public would vote for men who would vote for representatives.
