Quiz 1 Flashcards
1
Q
How are Locke’s works relevant?
A
They help us to understand the US’s government principles
2
Q
Who created the principles that would lead to the founding of the United States?
A
John Locke
3
Q
Who influenced how everyone should think about gvmt?
A
Locke
4
Q
How did Locke approach creating his principles?
A
Secularly
5
Q
What was Locke’s solution to people living under regimes of religions that weren’t theirs?
A
Get rid of religious regimes
6
Q
Why are absolute monarchs dangerous? (Locke)
A
1 person holds all the power
7
Q
What does people’s security depend on? (Locke)
A
Equitable laws, which you can’t have with absolute monarchy
8
Q
What did Locke say was the real reason that monarchies had power?
A
They were the strongest
9
Q
What did Locke say about people who claimed authority from heritage?
A
No benefit or authority should come from the “foundation of all power.”
10
Q
Did Locke believe we owe obedience based on strength?
A
No
11
Q
What were the 2 theories on gvmt legitimacy?
A
Government is legitimate to the extent that it:
1. Treats everyone equally
2. Is accepted by the people
12
Q
What did Locke say government and law exist to do/What was the basis for judging all gvmts?
A
- Preserve property, life, and liberty (Secure unalienable rights
- Defend from foreign attacks
- Serve the common good
13
Q
Why do people consent to government? (Locke)
A
To have their rights protected
14
Q
What is the state of nature? What are our relationships like?
A
No government, independence from all other people
15
Q
What is the state of nature also called, and what does it look like?
A
The state of war, everyone is against each other
16
Q
What is Hobbes’ view on humanity? What do we lack in this state?
A
We’ll kill each other to preserve ourselves, steal from others, and have no respect for others.
No safety, security, or peace
17
Q
What did Locke believe we had to counter the state of nature? What did this say?
A
Law of nature- no one should harm another in life, liberty, or property
18
Q
What does the law of nature enable you to do?
A
Everyone has the right to punish an offender
19
Q
When is the law of nature given up?
A
When we consent to being governed
20
Q
Why do we punish offenders? (Locke)
A
To get people to repent and to deter him and others from committing/repeating the offense
21
Q
What did Hobbes say in regards to when people kill in a state of nature?
A
They kill out of necessity and revenge in a state of nature
22
Q
Does partiality still exist with a state of government?
A
Yes, but hopefully to a lesser extent
23
Q
What did Locke say needs to happen for a good government to deliver punishments?
A
They need to be objective
24
Q
How do people react when being punished? What could go wrong when deciding punishments?
A
People refuse to accept punishments, and executioners can look for revente instead of reparations
25
What did Locke say about civil governments repairing issues?
They can do it in the state of nature and because we're bad judges of ourselves
26
What is civil government?
The part of the state (excluding military) that enforces laws
27
Do we follow the law of nature in the state of nature?
No
28
What does Locke say about fighting off a thief? Can you do it?
Yes, because the government has failed to defend you and your rights are in danger. You're acting to preserve yourself, not out of revenge.
29
What about rights makes government necessary? (Locke)
Their insecurity
30
Why can't the government take away our rights? (Locke)
We have them before government and need government to secure them, which limits the actions they can take
31
What does a government's legitimacy stem from? (Locke)
Securing its people's rights and its jurisdiction
32
How do individual rights relate to other people?
Once they encroach on other people's rights, it's not okay
33
When can governments be dissolved?
For severe/repeated offenses
34
According to Locke, Is monarchy a legitimate form of government? Why?
No, it's run by one person who has absolute power.
35
Can the government take away rights?
Not without good cause
36
What is the transitive statement that shows the importance of a right to property?
right to property=liberty
liberty=right to life
37
What is the definition of property? What conditions need to be met to make something yours? (Locke)
Something you add labor to (Labor+nature) that doesn't take away from people's security (can't take away last apple on last apple tree)
38
How is waste treated according to the law of nature? (Locke)
Waste breaks the law of nature because someone else could have used it (implies scarcity_
39
How does the state of nature look economically?
Everyone is poor
40
What conditions need to be met for something to be yours according to Lockean principles?
There needs to be enough left and as good left for everyone else
41
Was Locke's first definition of private property adequate? Why?
No, inadequate due to scarcity
42
What does the right to private property come from? (Locke)
Scarcity in the state of nature
43
Why is there no incentive for private property in the state of nature?
No protection for property offered
44
Why would people want to have property? (Locke)
Money- people want profit, and more land=more profit
45
Where does most of the profit for land come from? (Locke)
Labor- cultivating a plot of land means you add a TON of value to it
46
Benefits of cultivating land/private property (Locke)
-Enough food for everyone
-Less conflict
-A greater supply
-Encourages trade/bartering (limited by spoiling)
47
Why is money important?
-Creates a reason to produce materials
-Can be used for other thigns
-Increases food supply At least 1000 times
-More money=More products
48
What is a drawback of money, and how is this justified? (Locke)
How does a society with/without money compare?
Vast financial inequality, but major opportunities for advancement.
"King in America (society w/ no $) worse off than day laborer in England (society w/ $)
In a society with no money, the people at the top are worse off than the people at the bottom in a society with money
49
What is a major benefit of the rich producing a product and selling it to the poor? (Locke)
Everyone can get necessities because the rich want luxury.
Rich produce product, poor buy it. Rich get richer, poor have product.
50
What is Common Sense?
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine
51
What are the main point in Common Sense? (Paine)
Society and government are distinct and have different origins
52
Qualities of society (Paine)
Comes from our wants, creates happiness by "uniting affections", encourages relations, blessing
53
Qualities of government (Paine)
Impedes happiness by restraining vices, creates distinctions, necessary evil at best, intolerable at worst, necessity caused by our lack of virtue
54
What is the true design and end of government, according to Paine?
Security
55
How to calculate most preferable form of government (Paine)
Lowest cost of security, greatest benefit to society
56
What are the qualities of the first government, as described by Paine?
-State house, everyone has a seat
-Laws are called regulations
-Laws only enforced through damaged reputation
57
According to Paine, what happens after 1st government is formed?
Increased #s mean not evreyone can meet, representatives are needed
58
(Paine) What makes a good representative?
They should act the same way the people they're representing would, have the same concerns
59
(Paine) How should you determine how many reps you should have? (look into this one)
In proportion to the population
60
How should the elected and the elector's concerns line up?
They should always be the same
61
How did Paine see England's involvement in US's progress?
US would have done as well, if not better, if Europe hadn't been involved
62
Did England offer any protection to the US? Why or why not?
Yes, but it was out of self-interest
63
What did Paine say relationships between countries based on parent countries were?
Backward
64
What is the US's parent country? Why? (Present State of American Affairs, Paine)
Europe- not a country, but parent region due to heterogeneity of population
65
Did Paine believe the origin of the people should determine what country rules them?
No
66
What did Paine say about the US supporting the British army?
It wouldn't
67
What does Paine call us to do?
Renounce alliance with England
68
What nations in Europe should the US be partial to? What would the effects of this be?
None- No further involvement in wars US has no interest in
69
What does Paine say about people who are pro-reconciliation? (maybe look into)
They're biased, people who can't or won't see, or have too much regard for Europe (Last is most dangerous)
70
How urgent are the matters Paine is addressing? Are there any other options left that will bring about lasting security?
Very- predicts less than 1 year of security. Peace (along with every other method) has failed. Separation is the only permanent solution
71
What does Paine predict will happen if we were to reconcile? How would this play out, long term?
Revolt with Britain, could be much worse
72
Where does prosperity come from? (Present State of American Affairs, Paine)
Continent, not provinces
73
Is the king law in america?
No, law is king
74
Should we leave the events to chance? How should we handle these issues? (Present State of American Affairs, Paine)
No, we need to take charge and write our own constitution
75
Who wrote the American Crisis?
Thomas Paine
76
Why did Paine write the American Crisis?
To strengthen and uplift people
77
What did Paine argue about difficult conflicts?
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
78
What rights did Britain claim to have? How did Paine view this?
Absolute right, slavery
79
How did Paine view Britain's perspectives? Who did he say could express these things?
Sacrilege, God
80
What were Paine's religious views?
God would intercede because they tried to prevent war
81
How did Paine view people who supported an offensive war?
As murderers
82
How did Paine view mercy in war?
Manipulative tactic- can't expect it
83
What did Locke say in regards to when democracy is justified?
Only justified to the extent life, liberty, and property are defended.
84
What was Carnegie's argument in regards to inequality?
Civilization has it, but it's better for everyone
85
What did Carnegie say was needed for a true civilization
Wealth
86
What happens when everyone gets products, according to Carnegie?
Standard of living goes up
87
What does prosperity depend on, according to Carnegie, and why?
Private property (Inventive to develop land and stuff and have it be yours)
Invention of $ (Work hard and make more $, means you produce more)
88
How is financial inequality resolved?
Increased wealth, benefits everyone
89
Who is more anti-monarchical- Paine or Locke?
Paine, by a wide margin
90
What forms of government are Paine emphatic about?
Monarchy and democracy
91
Who was considered VERY revolutionary during the American revolution?
Paine
92
What were Paine's 2 most influential texts? What did they argue?
Common sense and the American Crisis- Why American colonies should declare independence and about nature of government
93
How did Locke feel about the state of nature? Why?
It's bad, we need to improve our conditions and live peacefully
94
How did Paine feel about society? Why?
It's good, it unites all towards the greater good and leads to achievement
95
What did Paine think was the best kind of government? Why?
Elective democracy- you have representatives acting as the whole body would
96
What limits did Paine think we should have for representatives and why?
Term limits and frequent elections to keep common interests (keep reps down to earth)
97
How complex should government be, according to Paine?
Simple- less likely to break, easier to repair
98
Was Paine Fed or Anti-Fed?
Anti fed- wanted popular participation, complete control of legislature
99
Did Paine believe in biblical authority?
No
100
How did Paine say 1st monarchical rulers got their power? Were they legitimate?
Leaders of gangs, overpowered everyone else. No
101
Did Paine trust the people's sense of government? How did this play out?
Yes, supported a direct democracy
102
Did Paine believe the king of Britain could ask for guidance in his rule?
No, because he was an illegitamite ruler
103
When would people choose king? (paine) Why?
Never, king isn't trustworthy. Always need to check
104
What was the point of democracy (Paine)?
To choose people like you, who you trust, to represent you
105
Paine's position on power
Anyone who has power will abuse it
106
Where should almost all power reside in? (Paine)
Legislature
107
What was the argument for equality?
We're all created in the same way, equality can only be broken by something that comes after
108
How is inequality viewed?
Imposed, unnatural
109
What were old distinctions of success based on? How did this play out? How permanent were these distinctions?
Nature- naturally lords and peasants, kings and subjects. Can't break out of it.
110
What is old society built on?
Fundamental inequality
111
Did Paine say distinction of class caused happiness or misery?
Misery
112
America was discovered before/after the reformation. How was this viewed?
Before, like America was meant to be a haven for people fleeing persecution.
113
What does the law restrain?
The authority of the state
114
Why is monarchy bad in terms of insecurity?
Monarchy is unlimited with absolute power, causes insecurity in relationship to the law meant to protect its people
115
What does the DOI say in regards to rights/equality?
All men are created equal and have unalienable rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness)
116
What does the DOI say the purpose of gvmt is? Where do they get their consent?
Protect unalienable rights, consent of the governed
117
If the government doesn't protect rights or people don't consent, what can they do? (DOI)
Change or dissolve gvmt
118
Why should the people break off from bad governments?
It's their duty to do so
119
How can democracy be a bad thing?
It could be used to restrain other people's rights
120
What are some of the grievances in the DOI?
Refusing to approve laws for greater good, attempting to repress representation, dissolving/obstructing government, preventing people from moving to America, cutting off trade
121
Why does Jefferson say we need to handle these matters with urgency?
Armies are coming, cruelty almost unparalleled
122
Article II (State rights)
Each state must keep sovreignty, freedom, and independence, power, jurisdiction, and rights designated to them in congress
123
Article III (Allyship of states?)
All states ally to help each other when under attack
124
Article IV (Privilege regarding travel, state jurisdiction?)
Rightly free people will have protections and privileges in travel
All states respect all other state's jurisdiction
125
Article V (# of reps per state, discussion rights, term limits?)
Each state has 2-7 reps, freedom of speech and debate, can't serve more than 3 years of 6 year term
126
What needs to happen before you interact with king (Give/receive office, enter into conference, alliance, treaty, or agreement)?
Need congress approval, Article VI
127
Article 7 (How are officers at or below colonel appointed? What is their role for common defense?)
Legislature of each state however they decide
128
How are war expenses paid for? (DOI)
Common treasury, in porportion to value of land
129
Who determines when there's peace or war, aside from conditions listed in article 6?
Congress
130
When are states allowed to determine when to go to war?
Invasion or resolution being formed by indians, no time to wait for people to assemble, sending/receiving ambassadors, entering treaties/alliances (except where treaties of commerce where legislative power of respective states will be restrained by imposing tarriffs/duties on foreigners as their pwn people are subjected to or from prohibiting exportation/importation of specified goods/commerce)
131
Can states decide to have a treaty/confederation/alliance?
Yes, but there needs to be a hearing to say for what purpose and for how long
132
What is the last resort for appeal of all disputes?
Congress
133
Who determines value of $ and regulates trade provided no conflict present with state legislature?
Congress
134
What can recessed committee do?
Manage general affairs, define size of navy per state based on # of white men
135
What power is the commitee of states limited to?
Anything that doesn't require 9/13 states approval
136
Does the DOI say consent is means by which gvmt operates?
No
137
Does the DOI say consent is necessary to establish gvmt?
Yes
138
What is America in terms of its establishment?
An experiment in modern political theory
139
Whose principles are the bases of the DOI?
John Locke
140
What does a liberal regime aim to do?
Protect rights
141
What does a democratic regime do?
Uses democratic elections to elect president
142
What were founders of America worried about? How did they handle it?
Illiberal democracy, set up constitution
143
Does Jefferson say people have right to alter/abolish gvmt if they're not ruling?
No
144
What part of gvmt does dissolution relate to?
Liberal, not democratic
145
Can you dissolve a government that isn't democratic but protecting your rights?
No
146
Who wrote the DOI?
Collaborative
147
Who wrote the first fdraft of the DOI?
Thomas Jefferson
