Foundations of Democracy

Divine right of kings

Belief that a monarch is chosen by God and speaks for God, so the king rules absolutely, with no regard for the will or well-being of his subjects.

Why was the king always right under divine right?

God chose him and God doesn’t make bad decisions, so everything the king said was treated as correct, even over the pope.

Magna Carta (1215)

First attempt at a social contract, forced on King John. The king had to follow the law too. Introduced fundamental rights like trial by jury and due process.

Who did Magna Carta apply to?

Only citizens (in 1215, mainly barons and free men).

Petition of Right (1628)

Put more limits on the king’s power, challenging divine right and monarchy. The king had to work with the consent of Parliament. Outlined basic rights for individuals.

Limits in the Petition of Right

No tax without representation. No imprisonment without cause. No housing soldiers in people’s homes. No use of martial law.

Petition of Right and the 3rd Amendment

The ban on housing soldiers later became the US 3rd Amendment.

English Bill of Rights (1689)

Monarchs do not have absolute power. They need the consent of the people’s representatives (Parliament).

What could the monarch NOT do under the Bill of Rights?

Suspend laws, raise taxes or keep an army without Parliament’s consent, or interfere with Parliament’s business.

Individual rights in the English Bill of Rights

Fair trials, and no excessive fines or cruel punishments.

Locke: how are people by nature?

Free, equal and independent, with natural rights to life, liberty and property.

Locke: when can a government be changed?

When it doesn’t protect people’s rights to life, liberty and property. Government gets its power from the people (popular sovereignty).

Locke on property

Once people cared more about property, greed changed things. Government is needed to protect ownership rights.

Montesquieu

Wrote The Spirit of the Laws. Supported limited government, separation of powers (3 branches) and checks and balances.

Separation of powers

Splitting government into three branches so no one group holds all the power: legislative (makes laws), executive (carries them out) and judicial (interprets them).

Checks and balances

Each branch can limit the others so none becomes too strong. Example: the president can veto a bill and Congress can override the veto.

Constitutionalism

Government that is structured by law, in which the power of government is limited.

Limited government

A government restricted in what it can do, so the rights of the people are protected.

Example of power restrained by the military, parties and a constitution

China.

Who first developed the concept of democracy?

The Greeks (especially Athens). “Democracy” means rule by the people.

Social contract

An agreement between people and their leaders in which the people give up some liberties so their other liberties are protected. Magna Carta was the first attempt.

Natural law

The assertion that standards governing human behavior come from the nature of humans themselves and can be applied universally.

Hobbes: what government did he support?

Absolute monarchy. Through the social contract, individuals enjoy the protection offered by a sovereign.

Hobbes: what is life like without government?

“Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” People are selfish and only the strong survive.

Hobbes: why have a government?

Citizens surrender liberty to the government in exchange for protection.

Hobbes: what book did he write?

Leviathan, arguing for a strong sovereign to keep people safe and keep order.

Hobbes vs. Locke

Hobbes: people need a strong, absolute sovereign for protection. Locke: government is limited, must protect life, liberty and property, and can be changed if it fails.

Popular sovereignty

The theory that government is created by the people and depends on the people for the authority to rule.

Social contract theory

The idea that individuals have free will, and every individual is equally endowed with the God-given right to self-determination and the ability to consent to be governed.

Direct democracy

A structure of government in which citizens themselves discuss and decide laws and policy, rather than electing representatives.

Indirect (representative) democracy

Citizens elect representatives who make laws and decisions on their behalf.

Political ideology

A set of beliefs about how government should work and what its goals should be.

Liberalism

An ideology built on individual liberty, equality within society, consent of the governed and limited government.

What theme does the teacher keep mentioning?

Human greed.