PoliSci Quiz 1

Why does John Locke say you need a government

People have rights of life, liberty, and property. People create government through a social contract to enforce these rights.

Main idea of Federalist 51

Government must be strong enough to govern people but also weak enough to prevent tyranny. Believed in separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism

Civil liberties vs. Civil rights

Civil liberties are freedoms the government cannot interfere with, civil rights are protections against unequal treatment/discrimination

Paradox of freedom

Unlimited freedom can allow people to destroy the freedom of weaker people. Some restrictions are necessary to preserve freedom

Paradox of tolerance

Unlimited tolerance of intolerant groups will eventually cause the tolerant groups to be destroyed by the intolerant groups

Paradox of democracy

A democracy could democratically elect someone who then destroys democracy

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Too weak, no power to tax, enforce laws, no executive or judiciary, major laws required 9/13 states and amendments required 13/13.

Cato V

Argues that the US it too large and diverse for a republican government to work and that a national powerful government would eventually become tyrannical

How Hobbes views humans

People are naturally self-interested, competitive, fearful, and roughly equal in ability to harm one another. People live in a state of war.

Democracy vs Republic

Democracy is rule by the mass populace, while a republic is ruled by representatives chosen by the people.

What should the constitution due according to Federalist 10

The Constitution needs to create a large representative republic where many competing factions make it hard for a majority faction to dominate.

Montesquieu's view of liberty

Liberty does not mean being able to do whatever you want, liberty is being able to do within laws

Why does Brutus fear a large national government

Believes the constitution gives the federal government too much power and will destroy state authority. Problems with Necessary and Proper clause, Supremacy Clause, federal taxation, federal courts, and standing army

Frederick Douglass main argument in "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"

Celebrating American liberty while millions remained enslaved is hypocritical

The Great Compromise

Settled disputes between states with large and small populations; created a bicameral legislature of House of Representatives based on population and Senate based on set number per state