Principles of American Government Test 1

Principles / Goals (WHAT is government for?)

Liberty / Freedom

Property Rights

Maintain Order

Rule of Law

Protect Safety & Economic Well-Being

Justice

Protect Rights

Means / Instrumentality (HOW does government achieve it?)

Limited Government

Consent of the Governed (Voting)

Limits on Majority (Prevent Majority Tyranny)

Separation of Powers (Checks & Balances)

Federalism

• Federal

• State

• Local

Administration (Practical Functions of the Government)

Maintain Order

Build Roads

Regulate Trade

Maintain Stable Currency

Modern Concerns we have aboutt he current government

Polarization

Populism

Congress appears ineffective

Crisis-mode governing

Lack of long-term planning

Moral disagreement about liberty & equality

Core Claims of the The Declaration of Independence

Equality, Natural Rights, Purpose of Government, Right to Revolution

Claim of “equality” in the Declaration of Independence

All men are created equal

Human dignity

Political equality (no rule without consent)

Claim of “natural rights” in the Declaration of Independence

Endowed by Creator

Inalienable

Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness

Government exists to protect these

Claim of “purpose of government” in the Declaration of Independence

Protect rights

Limited government

Authority comes from consent

Claim of “right to revolution” in the Declaration of Independence

If government:

• Lacks consent

• Fails to protect rights

→ Revolution is justified

mentions of religion in the declaration

“Laws of Nature and Nature’s God”

“Creator”

“Supreme Judge of the World”

“Divine Providence”

God is involved but philosophical (not specifically Christian)

5 keys points of the mayflower compact

Community over individual

Duties & obedience

Christian God

Submission to authority

No right to revolution

4 key points of the declaration of independence

Individual rights

Consent

Natural rights

Right to revolution

5 key criticisms of Classical Liberalism (Deneen)

Radical individualism

Voluntarism

No moral obligation in “state of nature”

Focus on autonomy over virtue

Opposes natural moral order

Tocqueville’s ideas on Aristocracy

Social classes create duties

Intergenerational connections (“chains”)

Hierarchical responsibility

Tocqueville’s ideas on Democracy

Equality eliminates class ties

Risk of isolation

Focus on short-term pleasure

Problems passed to future generations

Tocqueville’s solution to aristocracy and democracy

Strengthen local government

Local offices create responsibility

Public service forces people to think beyond themselves

Jefferson’s theory of the Ward System

Small local republics (a few hundred families)

Strong community connection

Greater political responsibility

Citizens resist tyranny because power feels personal

the ratification debate Debate (1787–1788)

Problem: Faction (group with shared interest that harms rights or common good)

Solution:

• Large republic

• Representation (not direct democracy)

• Many factions → harder for majority tyranny

• Pluralism (active engagement of diverse groups within a society, fostering mutual respect, cooperation, and shared power)

• Coalition building → compromise (process of uniting diverse group to collaborate on a common goal)

Concern: protect minority rights

Can a large republic successfully govern the United States according to brutus?

NO — he believes republics only work well when they are small

Brutus argues Small Republic = Strong Community

In a small republic, you have:

• Fewer people

• Less diversity

• More common agreement

Because people share similar:

• Climate

• Habits & manners

• Laws & customs

Why Common Agreement Matters according to brutus

a republic needs:

• A massive majority that agrees on fundamental values

• A community working toward the common good

Without agreement:

• Laws won’t reflect shared interests

• Citizens won’t feel represented

The Good (of Small Republics) according to brutus

Strong agreement on way of life

Community focused on common good

Greater trust between rulers and citizens

The Bad (Risk in Larger Republics) according to brutus

Majority may oppress minority

Government becomes distant

Risk of tyranny

Brutus says there are two ways to enforce laws:

• Military force

• Willing cooperation of the people

A healthy republic should rely on:

• Voluntary obedience

• Not fear or military enforcement

How Do You Get Willing Cooperation according to Brutus?

People must:

• Trust their rulers

• Know their rulers personally

• Understand the laws

• Believe the laws are fair

Centinel is ___ complex government

against

Centinel prefers

Unicameral legislature: (a government system with a single legislative chamber or house that creates, debates, and passes laws)

Short terms (1 year)

Term limits/rotation

Voters must clearly know who to blame

3 branches of government

Legislative (Congress)

Executive (President, Governors)

Judicial (Courts)

Legislative (Congress)

Makes laws (general rules)

House & Senate

Holds purse strings

Impeachment

Executive (President, Governors)

Enforces laws

Veto power

Speed & decisiveness

Judicial (Courts)

Interpret laws

Judicial review

Can refuse enforcement

Purpose of Separation of government

Divide power

Prevent tyranny

“Ambition counteracts ambition”

Institutional checks + personal ambition

Hierarchy of power

Legislative > Executive > Judicial

Congress May: (federal powers)

Tax & Tariffs

Regulate Interstate Commerce

Coin Money

Establish Bankruptcy Laws

States May NOT: (federal powers)

Print money

Tax imports

Impair contracts: (states cannot pass laws that impair existing contracts)

Federal Government May NOT: (federal powers)

Tax state exports

What is the central tension in American government design?

Protecting individual liberty (safety) vs. cultivating a shared moral community (common good).

Safety vs. Community — what does “safety” mean?

Protection of minority rights and prevention of tyranny.

Safety vs. Community — what does “community” mean?

Shared values, trust, civic virtue, and pursuit of the common good.

Large republic vs. small republic — what is at stake?

Large protects diversity and minority rights; small strengthens unity and shared moral culture.

Majority rule vs. minority rights — what is the tension?

Democratic rule by the majority can threaten the rights of minorities.

Individual vs. community — what is the tension?

Are individuals primary (rights-based politics) or is the community primary (duty-based politics)?

Rights vs. duties — how do they differ?

Rights emphasize personal freedom; duties emphasize obligation to the community.

Consent vs. submission — what’s the difference?

Consent means authority comes from the people; submission means obedience to established authority.

Liberty vs. equality — why is this a tension?

Expanding equality can require limiting liberty; maximizing liberty can produce inequality.

Natural rights vs. virtue — what is the conflict?

Government may protect rights without promoting moral character or civic virtue

Complex government vs. simple government — what is at stake?

Complex structures prevent tyranny; simple structures promote accountability.

Representation vs. direct democracy — what is the tension?

Representation filters public opinion; direct democracy reflects immediate majority will.

Localism vs. centralization — what is at stake?

Local government strengthens community; centralized government promotes uniform protection of rights.

Order vs. liberty — why is this a tension?

Maintaining stability and security may require restricting freedom.

Long-term planning vs. short-term political incentives — why is this a problem?

Democratic politics encourages immediate rewards over future responsibility.