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Standard and Short Edition:
1 American Political Culture
2 The Founding and the Constitution
3 Federalism
4 Civil Liberties
5 Civil Rights
6 Public Opinion
7 The Media
8 Political Participation and Voting
9 Political Parties
10 Campaigns and Elections
11 Groups and Interests
12 Congress
13 The Presidency
14 Bureaucracy In A Democracy
15 The Federal Courts
16 Government and Economy
17 Social Policy
18 Foreign Policy and Democracy
Texas Edition:
19 The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas
20 The Texas Constitution
21 Parties and Elections in Texas
22 Interest Groups, Lobbying, and Lobbyists
23 The Texas Legislature
24 The Texas Executive Branch
25 The Texas Judiciary
26 Local Government in Texas
27 Public Policy in Texas

Chapter 2: The Founding and the Constitution

What Government Does and Why It Matters

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If you had been alive in 1789, would you have supported the proposed Constitution? Place yourself in the position of a New England merchant who supports ratification or a southern farmer who opposes the new Constitution. Make a list of at least five arguments to support your position.

 


  1. In what way would your position in the North or South affect your attitude about ratification?

  1. In what way would your occupation affect your attitude?

  1. Do you think your arguments would be persuasive to someone who is uncommitted?

  1. Are you basing your arguments on your own self-interest or on that of the nation as a whole?

  1. Voting on the new Constitution was an awesome responsibility. Do you think that most Americans today would be qualified to debate, discuss, analyze, and vote on a new Constitution?



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