Montesquieu, Federalism, and Republican Theory: Key Concepts and Historical Examples
Studied by 1 person
Call Kai
Learn
Practice Test
Spaced Repetition
Match
Flashcards
Knowt Play1/61
There's no tags or description
Looks like no tags are added yet.
Name | Mastery | Learn | Test | Matching | Spaced |
|---|
No study sessions yet.
62 Terms
How did Montesquieu define the core dilemma facing republics of different sizes?
Montesquieu argued that small republics are vulnerable to foreign conquest, while large republics are threatened by internal corruption and factionalism.
What does Montesquieu mean by 'internal imperfection' in large republics?
He meant factionalism, corruption, loss of civic virtue, and internal divisions that weaken republican government from within.
How does the fall of Ancient Athens support Montesquieu's argument?
Athens, a small republic, was conquered by Macedon in 338 BCE, demonstrating vulnerability to foreign military power.
Why is the Florentine Republic (1512) a useful example for Montesquieu's theory?
It was a small republic overthrown by Spanish-backed forces, illustrating how small states struggle against great powers.
How does the Roman Republic illustrate the dangers of a large republic?
Its vast size contributed to corruption, factional conflict, and civil war, ultimately leading to collapse.
Why is the Weimar Republic often cited as a modern example of Montesquieu's warning?
Internal polarization and extremism destabilized the large republic, leading to authoritarian takeover.
How does modern political polarization in the United States reflect Montesquieu's concerns?
It shows how factionalism and internal division can threaten stability in a large republic.
Why is the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack relevant to Montesquieu's theory?
It demonstrates an internal threat to republican stability rather than foreign conquest.
How did James Madison respond to Montesquieu in Federalist No. 10?
Madison argued that a large republic could control factions through representation and diversity of interests.
What is the 'extended republic' theory?
The idea that expanding the size of a republic reduces the likelihood that one faction will dominate.
Why was the Constitutional Convention of 1787 a direct response to Montesquieu's ideas?
Delegates designed institutions to manage a large republic without internal collapse.
How did ratification of the Constitution challenge Montesquieu's pessimism about large republics?
Americans believed structure and representation could overcome size-related problems.
What does Federalist No. 51 reveal about the Founders' view of human nature?
It assumes ambition and self-interest must be controlled through institutional checks.
How did the French and Indian War influence colonial views on government structure?
It exposed weaknesses of disunity and encouraged calls for centralized coordination.
Why was the Albany Plan of Union significant?
It was an early proposal for colonial unity to address external threats.
How did the Proclamation of 1763 shape colonial fears of centralized power?
Colonists viewed it as imperial overreach, reinforcing distrust of strong centralized authority.
Why did Spanish control of the Mississippi River matter to American constitutional design?
It highlighted the need for federal control over commerce and diplomacy.
What did Pinckney's Treaty demonstrate about national power?
A strong national government was necessary for effective foreign negotiation.
How did the Iroquois Confederacy influence American political thought?
It modeled a federal system balancing unity and autonomy.
What does the Treaty of Fort Stanwix reveal about early American governance needs?
Diplomatic complexity required centralized authority.
How does U.S.-China competition reinforce the need for a strong national government?
Modern foreign threats require coordinated national defense and diplomacy.
Why is the Ukraine-NATO conflict relevant to large republics today?
It shows the importance of unified foreign policy.
What is federalism and why was it essential to the U.S. system?
Federalism divides power between national and state governments to balance scale and local control.
How does separation of powers address Montesquieu's fear of internal corruption?
It prevents any one branch from dominating government.
Why was the Bill of Rights crucial for a large republic?
It protects individual liberties from majority tyranny.
How did Shays' Rebellion expose flaws in the Articles of Confederation?
It showed the national government lacked authority to maintain order.
What did the Whiskey Rebellion prove about the new Constitution?
The federal government could enforce laws without tyranny.
How did the COVID-19 response illustrate federalism in practice?
States adopted different policies while remaining within a national framework.
Why is the Northwest Ordinance important to republican theory?
It limited state size to preserve effective self-government.
How does Michigan's statehood reflect concerns about republican stability?
It balanced frontier expansion with governance structures.
How does the urban-rural divide in Michigan reflect Montesquieu's concerns?
It shows internal division within large political units.
Why was Baker v. Carr a turning point for representation?
It made legislative apportionment a justiciable issue.
What principle was established in Reynolds v. Sims?
'One person, one vote,' ensuring equality in large states.
Why is Michigan's Independent Redistricting Commission significant?
It reduced partisan corruption and strengthened legitimacy.
How does gerrymandering relate to Montesquieu's idea of internal decay?
It undermines fair representation and public trust.
Why was Moore v. Harper (2023) important for state governance?
It rejected unchecked legislative power and preserved institutional checks.
What is classical republicanism?
A philosophy emphasizing civic virtue, participation, and the common good.
How did the Mayflower Compact reflect classical republican values?
It established self-government through collective agreement.
Why were New England town meetings important to republicanism?
They practiced direct civic participation.
Why are the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut historically significant?
They are often considered the first written constitution.
What did the Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges aim to prevent?
Executive tyranny.
Why was Cincinnatus admired by American founders?
He symbolized selfless civic virtue.
How did Washington's resignation in 1783 reinforce republican ideals?
It demonstrated voluntary surrender of power.
How does selective service reflect classical republican values?
It emphasizes civic obligation.
Why is declining voter participation a concern for republicanism?
It signals weakening civic virtue.
What is natural rights philosophy?
The belief that individuals possess inherent rights before government.
How did John Locke influence American political thought?
He argued government exists to protect natural rights.
Why is the Declaration of Independence central to natural rights philosophy?
It asserts inherent rights and consent of the governed.
What role did the Virginia Declaration of Rights play in American history?
It explicitly listed natural rights.
Why is the Massachusetts Constitution important to natural rights theory?
It strongly protected inherent rights.
How did the English Bill of Rights influence American government?
It limited government power and protected liberties.
Why was Somerset v. Stewart influential in colonial America?
It reinforced the idea that liberty is natural.
How do classical republicanism and natural rights differ in assumptions about human nature?
Republicanism trusts virtue; natural rights assumes self-interest.
Why did Anti-Federalists fear the Constitution?
They feared loss of virtue and excessive national power.
How did the Bill of Rights resolve the Federalist-Anti-Federalist debate?
It protected individual rights within a strong republic.
How does Brown v. Board of Education reflect natural rights philosophy?
It grounded equality in inherent human dignity.
Why is Tinker v. Des Moines still relevant today?
It protects student free speech rights.
What debate did Dobbs v. Jackson reignite?
Whether rights are inherent or granted by government.
Why is Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard significant?
It reflects competing views of equality and individual rights.
How do social media debates challenge traditional free speech theory?
They question rights in private digital spaces.
Why is the United States considered a 'Montesquieu test case'?
It continues to test whether a large republic can endure.
What is the key compromise that allows the U.S. system to function?
Federalism balancing unity and local self-government.