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Congressional Elections: Crash Course Government and Politics #6

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This week Craig Benzine talks about the importance of elections. But he isn't going to focus on presidential elections, but instead those of the strongest part of our government: congressional elections. Craig will talk about the frequency of elections in the Senate and House, typical characteristics of a candidate, and the motivating factors our congresspeople follow to get re-elected.

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Political Parties: Crash Course Government and Politics #40

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How Voters Decide: Crash Course Government and Politics #38

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What Is the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government? | History

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What Is the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government? | History

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The Bicameral Congress: Crash Course Government and Politics #2

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the Legislative Branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress. 

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the Legislative Branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress. 

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The Constitution gives three types of power to the national government:

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The Constitution gives three types of power to the national government:

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3. INHERENT POWERS are not specifically listed in the Constitution, but they grow out of the very existence of the national government. For example, the United States has the power to acquire territory by exploration and/or occupancy, primarily because most governments in general claim that right.

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The Constitution gives three types of power to the national government:

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The Constitution gives three types of power to the national government:

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2. IMPLIED POWERS are not specifically stated in the Constitution, but may be inferred from the elastic (or "necessary and proper") clause (Article I, Section 8). This provision gives Congress the right "to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and other powers vested in the government of the United States." Since these powers are not explicit, the courts are often left to decide what constitutes an implied power.

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The Constitution gives three types of power to the national government:

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The Constitution gives three types of power to the national government:

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1. DELEGATED (sometimes called enumerated or expressed) powers are specifically granted to the federal government in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. This includes the power to coin money, to regulate commerce, to declare war, to raise and maintain armed forces, and to establish a Post Office. In all, the Constitution delegates 27 powers specifically to the federal government.

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In their attempt to balance order with liberty, the Founders identified several reasons for creating a federalist government:

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In their attempt to balance order with liberty, the Founders identified several reasons for creating a federalist government:

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to avoid tyranny

to allow more participation in politics

to use the states as "laboratories" for new ideas and programs.

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Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and George Washington were advocates of the federal system.

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Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and George Washington were advocates of the federal system.

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In this system of dual sovereignty, the people delegate certain powers to the national government, while the states and the people retain all other powers.

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Connections throughout Americas Founding Government 

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Connections throughout Americas Founding Government 

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Thomas Jefferson ranked Locke, along with Locke’s compatriot Algernon Sidney, as the most important thinkers on liberty. Locke helped inspire Thomas Paine’s radical ideas about revolution. Locke fired up George Mason. From Locke, James Madison drew his most fundamental principles of liberty and government. Locke’s writings were part of Benjamin Franklin’s self-education, and John Adams believed that both girls and boys should learn about Locke. The French philosopher Voltaire called Locke “the man of the greatest wisdom. What he has not seen clearly, I despair of ever seeing.”

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John Locke and the Second Treatise on Government

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John Locke and the Second Treatise on Government

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Locke believed, contrary to claims that God had “made all people naturally subject to a monarch”, that people are “by nature free.”(Tuckness).

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Principles of natural rights and free government laid out by John Locke

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Principles of natural rights and free government laid out by John Locke

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He expressed the radical view that government is morally obliged to serve people, namely by protecting life, liberty, and property.

He explained the principle of checks and balances to limit government power.

He favored representative government and a rule of law.

He denounced tyranny.

He insisted that when government violates individual rights, people may legitimately rebel.