United States of America: Constitution and Federalism
Test #2 Notes
POLS 1101
1. The Constitution a. Constitutional Change i. Constitutional change processes: 1. The formal amendment process a. Two stages: (Both stages are necessary) i. Proposal 1. Two thirds of congress votes needed ii. Ratification 2. Three fourths of state legislatures votes needed b. Interpretation by the courts iii. Marbury v. Madison 3. Supreme court declared that the courts have the power to nullify government acts when they conflict with the constitution iv. Judicial review is the courts main check on the other branches of government 4. Judicial review forces the courts to interpret the Constitution ii. Only 27 amendments have been made iii. Amending the constitution is extremely hard iv. The GA Constitution is extremely easy to change and changes frequently 2. Federalism b. The relationship between state and federal government is constantly changing c. Theories and Metaphors v. Federalism – the division of power between a central government and regional governments vi. Federalism offered a solution to citizens fears that they would be ruled by majorities from different regions and different interest and values vii. Federalism also provided a new political model 2. Dual Federalism c. Dual federalism (the layer cake metaphor) is a view that holds the constitution is a compact among sovereign states v. Four essential parts: 5. National government rules by enumerated powers only 6. National government has a limited set of constitutional purposes 7. Each government unit – nation and state – is sovereign within its sphere
POLS 1101
1. The Constitution a. Constitutional Change i. Constitutional change processes: 1. The formal amendment process a. Two stages: (Both stages are necessary) i. Proposal 1. Two thirds of congress votes needed ii. Ratification 2. Three fourths of state legislatures votes needed b. Interpretation by the courts iii. Marbury v. Madison 3. Supreme court declared that the courts have the power to nullify government acts when they conflict with the constitution iv. Judicial review is the courts main check on the other branches of government 4. Judicial review forces the courts to interpret the Constitution ii. Only 27 amendments have been made iii. Amending the constitution is extremely hard iv. The GA Constitution is extremely easy to change and changes frequently 2. Federalism b. The relationship between state and federal government is constantly changing c. Theories and Metaphors v. Federalism – the division of power between a central government and regional governments vi. Federalism offered a solution to citizens fears that they would be ruled by majorities from different regions and different interest and values vii. Federalism also provided a new political model 2. Dual Federalism c. Dual federalism (the layer cake metaphor) is a view that holds the constitution is a compact among sovereign states v. Four essential parts: 5. National government rules by enumerated powers only 6. National government has a limited set of constitutional purposes 7. Each government unit – nation and state – is sovereign within its sphere