Disclaimer

This document is a copy of MY NOTES FROM CLASS. This is in no way endorsed by Dr. Saperstein, the accuracy of these notes is not guaranteed. I have missed classes and could miss more, when that happens, i dont get the notes. I cannot be held liable for your grade on a test, or in the class. If you have any additions i should make, let me know at mike_at_themultitude_dot_net.

Dr. Saperstein

Notes start here.

Text for Course: American Government, by Gitelson [7th Edition]

1. Welcome to Government.
2. Final and Mid-Term are Open Book. The Exams will be Essay Format (No Short Answer.) Try to give marks based on A → B range. Attendance is important, Participation is important. Questions about foreign events. What goes on now will be in text book after 40 or 50 years.
3. things to understand about history: there are facts and there opinions. Individuals are absolutely entitled to their opinion, and are encouraged to present them after accurately portraying the facts.

1. A technique for controlling people. Politics is power, influence, money, prestige.
2. power = control.
3. prestige = political positions are sexy.
1. Good politicians make many promises and keep them genuine. Don't know politicians until they are in office.
2. The United States is governed by a Democratic System. The word breaks down as [demos = people][cracy = in charge of]. the individuals in the united states are in power by virtue of the power to VOTE.
3. The feeling of power seems to overwhelm the Executive.
4. A common misconception, THE PRESIDENT CANNOT DECLARE WAR. Congress is the only governing body that can declare war, according to the constitution.
5. We will learn the powers of the Executive, Legislative, and the Courts.
6. Social Security is retirement insurance for those who worked. Dr. Saperstein believes the Bush administration is trying to destroy the system.
7. A citizens responsibility is to make a wise decision, and to MAKE a decision.
8. Primary → Runoff → General Election. There is a process to voting. Voting is a Responsibility.
9. Electoral College elects the President. Bush won over Gore, and the Electoral College does not belong in the democratic system of the United States.
10. The United States is Evolving as a Democracy. In the beginning, in order to vote, a citizen had to be Anglo-, Male, and Own Property. As we have grown as a society; minorities, women, and the poor have been granted the right to vote.

03/01/06 -- Notes

1. In America, a citizen over 18 years of age can have 1 vote. This is the equal power citizens share in their control of the government.
2. The age was chosen to supplant the responsibility of the draft.
3. This year, New York State voters will have the opportunity to vote in a primary and in a general election.

1. Any president can only serve two terms, not more.
2. 60% voter turnout is apparently the highest ever.
3. A basic principle of the united states government is that it protects the/all people.

03/06/06 -- Notes

1. Politics ·· The science of controlling a group of people. Politics is about power. It Brings Influence, Money, Prestige.
2. Government ·· the institutions and officials who make the laws and enforce them.
3. Democracy ·· a system of government in which the citizens are in control (by voting).
4. Representative Democracy ·· a system of government in which the citizens elect individuals to represent them in making and enforcing laws.
5. Ideologies ·· concepts of what the government should do and how to do it.
6. Liberalism ·· ideology that the government should intervene in the economy but not in the private lives of citizens.
7. Conservatism ·· belief that the government should not intervene in the economic sphere, but not in the private lives of citizens.
8. Populism ·· the belief that the government should intervene in economics and the private lives of citizens.
9. Libertarianism ·· the belief that the government should intervene as little as possible in the economy or in the private lives of citizens. (Notes from 03/02/06, Terms + Concepts cont.)
10. Charter ·· an agreement between a landlord and their tenants of the rights and responsibilities of either party.
1. Landlord ·· a feudal landlord (typically a person of near royalty who owned a tremendous amount of land.) Typically had the responsibility of ensuring tenants were able to defend themselves.
2. Tenants ·· individuals who worked the land, and in some cases were used as ad··hoc armies. Were paid nothing in exchange for their labor.
3. Executive Privilege ·· In matters pertaining to the preservation of national defense, the president may break or bend certain laws.
4. Deposition ·· A statement given under oath. He perjured himself. He was impeached without punishment.
11. Magna Carta ·· Document signed by King John of England in 1215. Was hated by the people and the Lords. The Lords went to war against the king, and won. Forced to sign the Magna Carta. Indicated the King was held to the same laws of the people, with the powers of the Throne greatly limited.
12. Common Law ·· Legal doctrines that grew out of many cases heard and ruled by judges picked by the King. After many similar cases were decided in similar way, these decisions became common law.
13. Mayflower Compact ·· A written agreement between the settlers of Plymouth Mass. on the ship "Mayflower". This agreement stated the major principles for the new Plymouth colony. This compact served as a model for North American colonial law.
1. Differences ·· the mayflower was filled with different individuals from different areas of England. The agreement was mandatory for offloading the Mayflower.
14. Enlightenment ·· A philosophy throughout the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries that credited human knowledge and wisdom to "human reasoning"; not to religion or to the church.
1. John Locke said government exists for the benefit of the people.
15. Popular Sovereignty ·· a concept stating that the best form of government reflects the general will of the people.
1. Jean Rousseau's philosophy of government.
16. Declaration ofIndependencea document written by Thomas Jefferson in 1775; which declared that The United States of America was independent of English rule and control.
1. Recognized by the Congress to represent the new government.
17. Delegated Powers ·· Specific powers given to Congress and are written in the Constitution.
18. Concurrent Powers ·· Constitutionally granted federal and state governmental powers. Shared in the establishment and execution of these laws.
19. Implied Powers ·· suggested powers (not written) given to Congress that are "proper and necessary" for Congress to do it's job.
20. Reserved Powers ·· Those powers reserved exclusively for state governments.
21. Republic - a constitutional form of government with decisions made by representatives elected by citizens.

1. Liberalism - The belief that government should intervene in Economics, but not in the Private Lives of citizens. See also here.
2. Conservatism - The belief that government should intervene in the Private Lives of citizens, but not in Economics. See also here.
3. Populism - The belief that government should intervene in both the Private Lives of citizens and in Economics. See also here.
4. Libertarianism - The belief that government should take a minimalist approach to intervention in any sphere. See also here.

He describes these as sets of opposites, Liberalism ¬ Conservatism, and Populism ¬ Libertarianism.

1. Delegated Powers - the powers specifically granted to congress through the Constitution.
2. Implied Powers - the powers granted to congress [through the elastic clause] that are not made explicit through the Constitution.
3. Concurrent Powers - the powers granted to both the federal congress and the states through the Constitution.
4. Reserved Powers - those powers granted to only the state governments, and not to the national government.

He also gave us the definition for the missing test question.

Republic - a constitutional form of government with decisions made by representatives elected by citizens.

For the Amendments test/report - The question will be "Pick 5 Amendments, Identify their numbers and describe them in separate paragraphs with why those amendments are important. In a separate paragraph, describe which of those Amendments chosen are most important to you and why."

The continued First Amendment discussion. "Our Freedom of Assembly is our right to meet and get together and socialize peacefully, without police interference. In countries ruled by totalitarian governments, this freedom is not granted. We do not have the right to block traffic, or cause dangers to pedestrians. In New York City, ordinances exist to prevent loud or noisy assembly after 11pm."

He also provided us with this tip: Start answering questions you know, then go back to those you dont know.