What are the five principles of American democracy?
1) Basic rights (civil liberties); 2) Right to know; 3) All adults can participate; 4) People can change government; 5) Government responds to popular will
Why are democracies fragile?
They can collapse due to factions, delegitimacy, weak economies, strong executives, populism, and foreign intervention.
What sustains democracies?
Constitutions/laws, norms, tolerance of dissent, legitimacy, and social harmony.
What does Federalist 10 argue?
Large republics control factions by balancing many interests.
What does Federalist 51 argue?
Checks and balances prevent tyranny—’ambition must counteract ambition.’
What does Federalist 70 argue?
A single energetic executive ensures accountability and effective action.
What does Federalist 71 argue?
The president’s 4-year term ensures firmness and independence.
What is John P. Roche’s main argument?
The Founders were pragmatic politicians who compromised to ensure ratification.
What does Peter Sagal’s ‘A More Perfect Union’ emphasize?
The Constitution’s balance of federalism—power divided between national and state governments.
What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
No power to tax, enforce laws, or regulate commerce; unanimous amendments; weak federal authority.
What event showed these weaknesses?
Shays’s Rebellion.
What was the Virginia Plan?
Bicameral legislature, strong central gov, representation by population, national veto of state laws.
What was the New Jersey Plan?
Unicameral legislature, equal state voting, multiperson executive.
What was the Connecticut (Great) Compromise?
Bicameral Congress—House by population, Senate equal per state.
Why was the Electoral College created?
To limit direct public control and balance large and small state interests.
What is agency loss?
When agents act for their own interests instead of their principals’.
What is agenda control?
Authority to place or block proposals from consideration.
What is the commerce clause?
Gives Congress power over interstate and foreign trade.
What is the necessary and proper clause?
Allows Congress to make laws needed to execute its powers.
What is the supremacy clause?
Federal laws override state laws when in conflict.
What is the ‘take care’ clause?
Requires the president to ensure laws are faithfully executed.
What is pluralism?
Competing social interests influence policy decisions.
What is popular sovereignty?
Citizens delegate power to government but can rescind it.
What does Elisabeth Bumiller’s 2025 article describe?
Self-censorship and fear of retribution among critics during the Trump administration, showing erosion of democratic norms.
