iCivics Philosophically Correct

Rule of Law

Everyone, including leaders and lawmakers, must follow the same laws; no one is above the law.

Popular Sovereignty

A government's authority is created and sustained from the consent of the people.

Consent of the Governed

A government is only legitimate if the people agree to its power.

Equality Before the Law

Everyone is equally protected by the law, ensuring no one is privileged over others.

Right to Revolution

People have the authority to change or remove a government that unjustly harms their interests or safety.

Natural Rights

Universal, fundamental, inalienable rights that cannot be taken away and are not dependent on government laws or customs.

Social Contract

A theory suggesting individuals consent to give up some freedoms to the state for protection and social order.

Hobbes's View of Human Nature

Humans are naturally selfish and prone to conflict, existing in a 'state of nature'.

State of Nature

Before governments, people lived in a state of war, with no security or progress.

Leviathan

Hobbes advocated for a strong, central authority, like a monarchy, to maintain order.

Locke's Influence

Locke's ideas influenced leaders like Thomas Jefferson and shaped the American Constitution.

Tabula Rasa

The concept that people are born as blank slates and develop based on their experiences.

Purpose of Government

Governments should protect people's natural rights and end the state of nature.

Realism (Machiavelli)

A pragmatic approach to politics, focusing on how the world actually works rather than idealistic notions.

The End Justifies the Means

Machiavelli believed that any means, including immoral ones, can be justified if they serve the ultimate goal of maintaining power.

Separation of Powers

Montesquieu's idea of dividing government into branches to prevent power concentration.

General Will (Rousseau)

The notion that governments should follow what is best for society as a whole.

Direct Democracy

A system where all citizens are directly involved in making laws and running the government.