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Political Science

POLITICAL SCIENCE
CHAPTER ONE:

1. What is political power?
Political power is the ability to influence the political behavior of others. Political power is sought for the sake of the rewards and benefits that can be gained from it.

4. Why are the principles of both majority rule and minority rights important in a democracy?
Majority rule is a basic principle of democracy under which public policy is set by the freely consent of the majority, either directly by the people or through elected officials but limited by the recognition of certain basic rights of the minority.
Minority right is rights of the minority recognized in a democracy. These include the right to vote, to run for political office and to express descending political opinions. in the American system of government these rights are found in the constitution and especially in the bill of rights and the 14th Amendment.
CHAPTER TWO:

1. What are the three main features of the Articles of Confederation?
The three main features are:
• In 1781 when it was ratified the nation finally obtained a constitution that established a central government though one with very limited authority.
• It was based on the theory of State sovereignty which held that the ultimate authority resided in each of the 13 states.
• Representatives of congress were able to negotiate commercial treaties with several European nations and the treaty of Paris in 1783 which concluded the revolutionary war with Great Britain and gained the new nation official recognition by its former enemy.

2. What were the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
The major weakness of the Articles of Confederation is:
• One of the problems facing the central government under the Articles of Confederation was the fact that it lacked the power to tax individuals and regulate commerce thus showing that the Central government had very limited authority.
5. What are the main principles embodied in the US Constitution?
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