POLS 206 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Unanimous Consent, Mixed Government, Aristocracy
29 Sep 2017
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The american constitution: definition of constitutions in general, what is a constitution, constitution basic rules and guidelines for exercising political authority. Limits on governmental procedures: aristotle"s classification of constitutions. Function: powers and responsibilities in the public rather than the private sphere. Structure: institutions that constitute the framework of government. Procedures: the way government carries out its power: based on how many exercise power. There are good and bad forms of government: normative question. Good government determined: not how many people rule. Good government = rulers (one, few, or many) exercise power in the interest of the governed. Bad government = rulers (one, few, or many) exercise power in their own self- interest. Effective restraints on government that prevents abuse of power. All of aristotle"s good forms are a form of constitutional government. The madisonian dilemma : need for a stronger central government, articles of confederation (1777) gave too much power to the states; federation of the states.
