Branching Out
Critical Analysis
Since 1997, describe what has happened to Americans’ trust and confidence in all three branches of government.
What do you think is the best explanation of that trend?
What is one consequence of that trend?
What is the big story the chart tells about Americans’ trust and confidence in the three branches of the U.S. government today?
How do you think the COVID-19 pandemic will impact these numbers?
How do you think this level of Americans’ confidence in their government will impact the COVID-19 pandemic?
How do you think Trump supporters’ storming the U.S. Capitol will impact the overall level of trust in the government?
How do you think party affiliation impacts trust in the government?*
Is this all good news?
The branch (judiciary) that is the least democratic (unelected) is the most popular. The branch (legislative) that is the most democratic (most often elected) is the least popular. Explain that one!
Madison wrote in Federalist 51, “ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” What do you think that quote means?
How does Madison’s quote above connect to the data in the chart?
Visual Extension
Learning Extension
Read the Gallup report on American attitudes toward government.
Action Extension
Article V of the U.S. Constitution provides two methods of adopting amendments. First, Congress may, by a two-thirds majority in both houses, propose amendments to the states. Second, if two-thirds of the states ask Congress to call a constitutional convention, Congress must do so. Every amendment to date has been proposed and ratified through the first method. These groups are seeking to persuade state legislatures to take the country into the uncharted territory of an Article V convention. Think about a way you would like the U.S. Constitution to change-repeal the 22nd Amendment, legalize drones in high school classrooms, allow for elections for the federal judiciary, etc. Contact your U.S. Representative and ask them to adopt your amendment.
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