Welcome to Week 4 “The Separation of Powers: Preventing Tyranny” Quiz True/False: The Constitution, and the separation of powers that it contains, are built around an idea of an unchanging human nature. True False According to Dr. Portteus, why is separation of powers so important? It prevents tyranny. It protects rights. It promotes good government. All of the above. The author of The Federalist went by the pen name “Publius.” Who was Publius? Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and James Madison Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and George Mason None of the above In Federalist 47, Publius writes, “The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of _______.” Justice Equality Tyranny Monarchy In the 1780s, before the federal Constitution, state legislatures often overstepped their own constitutional bounds and exercised legislative, executive, and judicial functions. How does Publius refer to these constitutions? Paper tigers Insufficient Parchment Barriers None of the above True/False: James Madison, writing as Publius, believes that frequent constitutional conventions are a wise method of redressing governmental problems. True False Article Two of the Constitution outlines which branch of the national government? The legislative The executive The judicial None of the above Why does Madison support an independent, unelected judiciary? It keeps the judiciary free from political concerns. It allows the judiciary to be impartial in its decisions. It keeps the legislature and the executive from exercising judicial power. All of the above. In Federalist 51, Publius writes that each branch must be given “the necessary __________ and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others.” Spending powers Constitutional means Vetoes None of the above Which of the below is not a constitutionally-authorized “check” of one branch on another? The President can change compensation of judges Legislators can impeach judges The President can veto legislative bills None of the above According to Publius, “______ must be made to counteract ambition” if separation of powers is to be successful. Ambition Will Personal motives Greed In the words of Publius, “[T]he constant aim is to divide and arrange the several offices in such a manner as that each may be a ______ on the other.” Balance Check Protection None of the above True/False: the Founders saw the dangers of democratic despotism in the state governments of the 1780s. True False In Federalist 51, Publius writes that “the private interest of every individual” in government should be “a sentinel over the _________.” Collective justice Social justice Public rights Sacred justice True/False: Progressives believe that human nature can improve. True False