Government & Enlightenment Review (Lecture Notes)

Flashcards covering key concepts from government theory (power, legitimacy, types of government), Enlightenment thinkers, social contract theory, and the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution including major plans and compromises.

What are the four basic areas a government needs to properly rule?

Power, Authority, Legitimacy, and Sovereignty.

Define Power in political systems.

The ability to get citizens and non-citizens to behave (comply).

Define Authority.

The right to rule.

Define Legitimacy.

Belief that the government has the right to rule.

Define Sovereignty.

Supreme authority.

What is Authoritarian government?

The few hold power; citizens have no say in how their government works.

What is Monarchy?

A system where a King or Queen rules; power is passed down through birthright, usually to the oldest male child.

What is Absolute Monarchy?

All power; power is unlimited.

What is Divine Right?

Power granted by God.

What is a Tyrant?

A ruler who uses fear to maintain power and control.

What is Constitutional Monarchy?

Laws limit royal family’s power; more power is held by citizens.

What is a Dictatorship?

Exercising complete control over the country, often seized by force; dictators are tyrants.

What role does Propaganda play in government control?

Widely used to promote ideology and help keep those with power in power.

What is Totalitarianism?

Government control extends to all aspects of life; a master plan for the economy and society.

What is Theocracy?

A form of government where the government is based on religion.

What is an Oligarchy?

Power lies with a select caste of people, often wealthy; input power often limited to those elites.

What is a Caste?

A group within society with little to no social movement (mobility).

What is Democratic Government?

People-centered; citizens have a choice to vote for leaders they believe will have the best impact.

What is a Republic?

A form of government where the state is governed by elected representatives.

What is Direct Democracy?

People vote on policy directly without representatives.

What is Indirect Democracy?

People run for political office and elect representatives.

What is the Enlightenment?

A philosophical movement promoting the power of reason to effect change.

Where was the center of the Enlightenment?

Paris; salons were upper-class gatherings promoting Enlightenment thinkers and culture.

Where did the Renaissance start?

Italy.

What is the State of Nature as described in the notes?

100% freedom; anarchy; sovereign over self.

What did Thomas Hobbes believe?

Life is nasty, brutish, and short; advocated for absolute monarchy (Leviathan).

What is the Social Contract according to Rousseau?

An agreement between the people and government to give up part of their freedom in exchange for protection for all.

What did John Locke believe about natural rights?

People are naturally good and have rights to life, liberty, and property; government should protect these rights; if not, people may overthrow.

What did Montesquieu advocate?

Separation of powers into branches to prevent concentration of power.

What did Rousseau say about people and society?

People were good but society corrupts them.

What is the Articles of Confederation?

The first form of government after the American Revolution; intentionally weak to avoid a powerful central government.

Name key weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

No president; unicameral legislature; each state has one vote; amendments require 9/13 or unanimous consent; no power to tax or regulate commerce; no national military; states could raise armies; needed unanimous to declare war; states paid their own debts.

What was Shay's Rebellion?

1787 riot led by Daniel Shays; veterans protested foreclosures; demonstrated the national government's limited power and the need for a stronger central government.

What happened at the Constitutional Convention (1787)?

Philadelphia meeting where delegates drafted a new framework to replace the AoC; debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists; led to drafting the Constitution.

Who were the Federalists and what did they believe?

Leaders like Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, George Washington; favored a strong national government and ratification of the Constitution.

Who were the Anti-Federalists and what did they believe?

Leaders like Thomas Jefferson, James Madison; favored limited federal powers and demanded a Bill of Rights.

What was the Virginia Plan?

Representation based on population; favored larger states.

What was the New Jersey Plan?

Representation equal for all states; favored smaller states.

What was the Connecticut Plan (Great Compromise)?

Created a bicameral legislature: House representation based on population and Senate with equal representation.

What is the 3/5 Compromise?

Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for purposes of representation and taxation.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments guaranteeing individual liberties; demanded by Anti-Federalists to protect rights.

What does it mean that the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land?

The Constitution is the highest law governing the land, above state laws.

What influence did Magna Carta have on government?

Limited government and rule of law influenced later constitutional developments.

What influence did Montesquieu have on the Constitution?

Influenced the separation of powers and checks and balances.

What influence did John Locke have on the Constitution?

Natural rights and government by consent; justification for protecting rights.

What is Federalism?

Power divided between national and state governments.