1. What Is Government? Flashcards
When did the founding fathers meet?
The summer of 1787
Where did the founding fathers meet?
Philadelphia
How many men (founding fathers) met in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787?
55
How did the founding fathers learn about government?
- Read and discussed books about basic ideas from political philosophers
- Read and discussed books about the history of government over the past 2,000 years
- They had experiences with government themselves. Many were leaders in the American colonies when ruled by Great Britain.
What is a political philosopher?
A person who studies and writes about basic ideas about government
Why do we want to learn about the founding fathers?
It will help you understand why they created a Representative Republic.
What is a founder?
A man or woman who lived in America during the colonial period who influened the creation of our government
What is a framer?
A person who wrote our Costitution in 1787 at the Philadelphia Convention
Who are some of the Founders?
- John Adams
- Mercy Otis Warren
- Thomas Paine
- Patrick Henry
- Thomas Jefferson
Note: these men were not framers because they did not go to Philadelphia
What is the enlightment period?
A time of religious and political revival
What are natural rights?
Basic rights for all people.
You are born with these rights and they should not be taken away without the person’s consent.
What are some examples of natural rights?
Life, liberty, property
What two philosophers influenced the development of our government?
- Thomas Hobbes
2. John Locke
What concepts did Hobbs and Locke share?
- The state of nature
- Natural rights
- The social contract
Where did Hobbs and Locke’s concepts differ?
- What drives human behavior?
2. What is the best form of government?
What did Hobbes think drives human behavior?
Passion
What did Locke think drives human behavior?
Reason
What did Hobbes think was the best form of government?
Absolute monarchy
What did Locke think was the best form of government?
Constitutionalism
What was Hobbes’s “science of politics” principle based on?
The strongest element in nature, which is passion, not reason.
How did Hobbes come to the conclusion that kings should have absolute power?
- The strongest element in human nature is passion.
- The strongest passion is fear of violent death.
- This fear gives rise to the natural right of self-preservation.
Because of this, only a person or persons above the law can make laws.
Therefore kings should have absolute power.
What are the components of Locke’s philosophy?
- Human nature derives from logic instead of emotions
- The main purpose of government is to protect people’s natural rights.
- Kings should NOT have absolute power.
What is the state of nature?
A life or society with no government and no laws
Which philosopher believed that the state of nature rights could be taken away?
Locke
What did John Locke believe would happen in a state of nature?
- Stronger, smarter people might try to take away other people’s lives, liberty or property.
- Weaker people might band together and take away the rights of the stronger and smarter people.
- People would be unprotected and insecure?
What is the idea of government?
Belief that people should agree to give up some of their freedom in exchange for protection and security,
What is a Social Compact or Social Contract?
An agreement people make among themselves to create a government to rule them and protect their natural rights.
What is an example of a social compact?
Mayflower Compact
List the types of government.
- Monarchy
- Communism
- Depotism
- Democracy
- Republic
- Oligarchy
What are the types of monarchy?
- Absolue monarchy
2. Constitutional monarchy
What is an absolute monarchy?
The king has power over the people
What is a constitutional monarchy?
The people give power to the king (Parliament and Magna Carta)
What is communism?
A person or small group controls the economic and social diversity of a people
What is depotism?
Dictators, tyrants
What is a democracy?
Government where the people have the power to decide leaders and laws
What is a republic?
Government where people elect representatives to provide the laws and decisions for the people
What is an oligarchy?
Small group of people who rule over the people.
More like a dictatorship, but not a single person.
