poli sci exam 1

explain hobbes

• Believes in the state of nature

• absolute monarchy and divine right is invalid

• Believes in natural rights

  • believes humans are inherently bad and selfish

• Only way to secure natural rights is to institute a dictatorship

explain locke

• Believes in the state of nature

• Believes in natural rights

• Not as clear on human nature

  • Argues that humans are born with a blank slate, and use their human intellect to be good (implies humans are bad)

• A dictator is not needed

• People won’t always choose to be good

what are natural rights?

• rights can’t be taken away like in a monarchy; rights they have simply bc they’re human

what is the state of nature?

how life may be without societal structure

what is divine right of kings?

implies that the king is God's chosen representative on Earth

explain the enlightenment period

• Breaks down class structure without mobility

• people could think for themselves

• ability to move up and down the social ladder

explain authoritarian government

• One person or one group sets standards, enforces standards, and resolves disputes both politically and economically

explain totalitarian government

• In addition to controlling politics and economy, a totalitarian also controls history, culture, religion, and more

explain a democracy government

power comes from the people — either directly or through elected representatives.

explain an absolute monarchy

king, queen, or emperor holds all the power, with no legal limits on their authority.

explain tyranny

one person (a tyrant) holds absolute power

what is direct democracy?

type of government where citizens directly participate in making decisions

what does direct democracy look like in california?

• initiatives (propose new laws or constitutional amendments by collecting a required number of signatures from registered voters)

• referendums (Voters can approve or reject laws that the state legislature has already passed)

• recalls (Voters can remove elected officials before their term ends if enough signatures are collected to trigger a special election)

what is individualism?

• People have an obligation to help themselves. When you focus on individualism, it turns inherent human nature to good.

what is political equality?

•  All people are born with natural rights, and no one human being is better than another

what are the articles of confederation?

the first constitution of the United States, created during the Revolutionary War

explain federalists

• Fear of the majority

• Desired to create a government that addresses tyranny of the majority (republic)

• Strong central government/federal government

explain anti-federalists

• Feared the minority

• Desired to create a government that addresses tyranny of the minority (democracy)

• Amend the Articles of Confederation

what was the constitutional convention?

• Leaders from every state in the Union went to the Constitutional Convention

• The Virginia Plan (large states)

• New Jersey Plan (small states)

what was the great compromise?

• 2 house legislature

• representatives appointed by population

• Limit of 435 representatives

• Senate, with 2 representatives per state