Key Terms

Question 1

Sovereignty

Answer 1

Ultimate political power- having the final say.

Question 2

Human Predicament

Answer 2

The cycle from tyranny to anarchy, to which sovereign power and its ill effects give rise.

Question 3

Tyranny

Answer 3

Absolute power centralized in one person (or small group); part of the human predicament cycle.

Question 4

Revolution

Answer 4

A means of removing tyranny from power; part of the human predicament cycle.

Question 5

Anarchy

Answer 5

No one person (or small group) maintains absolute power.Characterized by mass disorder caused by failure to agree on a common cause of action; part of the human predicament cycle.

Question 6

Good Society

Answer 6

Reasonably stable and prosperous society without oppressive tyranny. Usually includes peace, respect, vibrant, culture, and personal freedom to live the way one chooses.

Question 7

Arete

Answer 7

Greek term for virtue, the backbone of republican morality. Striving for excellence.

Question 8

Political Legitimacy

Answer 8

Ruling by a sanction higher than stark necessity; sanction may stem from divine right, wisdom, or consent.

Question 9

Divine right of kings

Answer 9

Political theory that royal lines are established by God and that kings rule by divine decree.

Question 10

Theocracy

Answer 10

Divinely inspired rule, or rule by religion

Question 11

Aristocracy

Answer 11

Rule based on distinguished or wise and heritage.

Question 12

Human nature

Answer 12

The fundamental disposition of humans that determines our behavior.

Question 13

Autocracy

Answer 13

One of the four alternative forms of government; sees people as children in need of a carefully controlled environment provided by government.

Question 14

Classical republicanism

Answer 14

One of the four alternative forms of government; sees people (and government) as mostly good but corruptible and so government should have restricted power and try to encourage a good moral climate.

Question 15

libertarianism

Answer 15

One of the four alternative forms of government; sees the most important value as individual freedom and holds that government should only protect that freedom and nothing more.

Question 16

Liberalism

Answer 16

One of the four alternative forms of government; sees people in the most favorable light, but institutions or other influences can corrupt them, so government is necessary to protect them from such corruption.

Question 17

Social compact

Answer 17

The social concept of a group of autonomous individuals living in a state of nature, making a common agreement about the sort of political world they want to live in.

Question 18

Corporate Communities

Answer 18

Colonial settlements established for economic or financial purposes by various companies. Although often charted by the Crown, their remote circumstances helped foster ideas of self-governance

Question 19

Indentured Servitude

Answer 19

Land owners would pay the passage of those willing to come to the colonies in exchange for an agreed upon term of service, after which the indentured servant was released from his obligation and was then free to seek his own fortune.

Question 20

Covenant Communities

Answer 20

Settlements based on religious or moral values, mostly interested in being an example to Europe or living according to their own moral liberty.

Question 21

Pilgrims

Answer 21

Small congregation of separatists seeking to distance themselves from the church of England by emigrating to New England.

Question 22

Puritans

Answer 22

British religious emigrants who wanted to reform the Church of England rather than sever all ties with it; their belief in Christian Calling, Moral self-governance, and in being God’s elect would help shape the founding and American national character

Question 23

God’s Elect

Answer 23

From John Calvin’s predestination theology, the doctrine that God has already chosen those who will be saved. these elect people are to build a community as an example

Question 24

The Christian Calling

Answer 24

From the theology of John Calvin- people should pursue a calling in some sort of worldly work where they are able to rise early in the morning work hard, save their money, and invest it wisely. prosperity showed Gods approval.

Question 25

Moral Self-Governance

Answer 25

Puritan ideal that all must live a righteous life largely on their own, with each man being responsible for his or her own actions and those of his family, and kepp an eye on his neighbor

Question 26

City Upon a Hill

Answer 26

Biblical idea, invoked by John Winthrop, of a society governed by civil liberty (where people only did that which was good and just) that would be an example to the world.

Question 27

Natural Liberty

Answer 27

Where men are free to do what they please, without regard for the moral calue of their actions

Question 28

Civil Liberty

Answer 28

According to John Winthrop, “where men were free to do only that which is good, just, and honest.”