Studied by 15 people
Thomas Hobbes (The Leviathan)
when humans live in “a state of nature” there is anarchy, the remedy was for people to give up some rights and agree to live in peace, an absolute sovereign would hold society together
Limited Government
type of government kept under control by law, checks & balances, and separation of powers
John Locke (Second Treatise of Civil Government)
natural law is the law of God and is acknowledged through human sense and reason, under natural law people were born free and equal, natural law entitled and obligated people to rebel when rulers did not respect consent of governed
Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws)
one defined and limited power while granting political liberty to citizens, separation of powers w/ legistlative, executive, & judicial branches
Natural Rights
inherent rights necessary for all humans which include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Popular Sovereignty
the people are the ultimate ruling authority
Representative Republic
a collection of sovereign states gathered for the national interest
Republicanism
a form of government in which the power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives
Rousseau (The Social Contract)
the agreement of free and equal people to abandon certain natural rights in order to find secure protections for society and freedom in a single body politic, he envisioned popular sovereignty
John Adams
part of the “committee of five”
Declaration of Independence
provided a moral and legal justification for American rebellion
Benjamin Franklin
part of the “committee of five” but declined due to shaky health, offered his experience in drafting the Constitution, embodied enlightenment ideals
Grand Committee
made up of one delegate from each state represented at the Constitutional Convention, instrumental in forging compromises needed to work out conflicting interests as new government took shape
Alexander Hamilton
his intellect, drive, and quest to elevate the nation made him instrumental in shaping the new government
Thomas Jefferson
part of “committee of five”, prepared the first draft of Declaration of Independence
James Madison
“Father of the Constitution” due to his influence in creating the plan for the new government & his support of its ratification
US Constitution
establishes a system of checks and balances among branches of government and allocated power between federal and state governments, based on rule of law & balance between majority & minority rights
George Washington
president of the Constitutional Convention
Elite Democracy
elected representatives make decisions and act as trustees for the people who elected them
Interest Group
An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals
Participatory Democracy
depends on the direct participation of many, if not most, people in a society, not only in government but in public life as well
Pluralist Democracy
people find others who share their interests and organize into nongovernmental groups to exert influence on political decision making
Representative Democracy
government in which the people entrust elected officials to represent their concerns
Anti-Federalists
opposed consolidation of states under a federal government
Federalists
support strong federal government, and full ratification of the Constitution
Initiative
gives the people power to place a measure on the ballot for a popular vote
Referendum
allows citizens to contest the work of the legislature
Factions
term the founders used to refer to political parties and special interests or interest groups
Federalist No. 10
addressed the concern that a few powerful individuals might unite into a faction to dominate political decisions
Brutus No. 1
commentary on the dangers of too large and too consolidated government; argues the necessary & proper clause and supremacy clause give federal government unlimited power, risking personal liberty
Note 
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