POLI 2051 Lecture : Lecture Ch2
Document Summary
Definition: a document that specifies the basic structure of government. Our constitution embraces four basic political principles - Republicanism a form of government in which power resides in the people and is exercised by their elected representatives. Federalism the division of sovereignty, and hence power, among two or more governments national and state governments in our case. Powers are derived from the people, who are the ultimate sovereign. Separation of powers the assignment of law- making, law-enforcing, and law-interpreting functions to separate and independent legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. Checks and balances give each branch some scrutiny and control over the other branches. Britain at war with france for control of north. America - british repelled the french by 1763, but they had a problem: they were broke. Tea act of 1773 - the boston tea party. He called reconciliation a dream and urged rebellion. Despite all this, most colonists probably did not want independence.