De Gov we the people unit one terms

Positive liberty

-Isaiah Berlin (1958) - Two concepts of Liberty

-The freedom to pursue one's own potential and goals without interference, often associated with the provision of basic social and economic conditions necessary for self-actualization.

-Freedom to act upon ones will, freedom TO be able to go something

-Language of enlightenment

-Freedom+ability to achieve ones goals regardless of who may or may not be interfering

-In terms of religious freedom: Freedom to practice the religion of my choosing

Negative Liberty

-Isaiah Berlin 1958-two concepts of Liberty

-The absence of external constraints or interference, allowing individuals to act as they choose without outside coercion. Often associated with minimal government intervention in personal choices and freedoms.

-Freedom from outside interference

-Language of Natural Rights

-Freedom = zone of non-interference -ability to operate within certain sphere where no one else is interfering.

-Religious Freedom-Freedom from interference in religious my practice

Jefferson of Negative liberty

Many of our constitutional rights viewed as negative Liberty

-right to be alive, right ot free, right to pursue happiness-(doesn’t mean we have the right to be happy) but the right to pursue without people needlessly getting in way.

-1st amendment-protecting people from interference of right of expression from new government

State of Nature

-Hobbes created it??

-Describes human nature before a government is put in place. Philosophers had different interpretations of its good-ness towards human nature.

-A theoretical condition where individuals exist without political authority or governance, often characterized by a lack of social structure and order. Philosophers like Hobbes described it as a state of chaos, while others believed it could represent a more egalitarian society.

Social Contract

• Philosophical idea that individuals give up certain freedoms and submit to authority in exchange for protection of their remaining rights. Often associated with thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, who had varying views on its implications for government and individual liberties.

Declaration of Independence

-written by Thomas Jefferson in in 1776, it declared separation from Great Britain

-listed complaints against King George III, showing how the British government violated colonial rights

-All people have basic right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness

-consent of the governed

John Locke- who, when, SC and SON thoughts?

-an enlightenment thinker (1632-1704) in the 17th century who advocated for natural rights, including life, liberty, and property, and influenced modern democratic thought. His ideas on the social contract emphasized government as a protector of these rights, asserting that legitimate authority derives from the consent of the governed.

-Two treaties of government published in 1690

-agreed with Hobbes on state of nature that it was brutal therefore required social contract. HOWEVER he thought natural rights existed in State of Nature and couldn’t be voluntarily given up(inalienable)

-also that Social contract was not just between people, but people and monarch

Locke Part 2!!!! Rights of king? His job? wb property? What kind of government and their level of power? supreme authority who?

-Natural rights of individuals limited power of king, no absolute power, acted to enforce and protect rights of people

-had right to revolt if social contract broken! Yay!

-property most important right-owners can do wtv they want with their property as long as they do not invade the rights of others

-government promotes common good and governs lightly

-representative government similar to English Parliament-however only men of property and business allowed and only men with property can vote.

-thought others were unfit

-supreme authority is law making legislature (like Parliament) the executive and courts creations under legislature.

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Thomas Hobbes-who, what did he write? SC and SON thoughts? whos death inspired him? thoughts of religion?

-An English philosopher (1588-1679) known for his work in political philosophy, particularly in his book "Leviathan," published in 1651. He argued that in a state of nature, life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short," necessitating an absolute sovereign to maintain order and prevent conflict, emphasizing the social contract as an agreement to surrender individual rights for collective security.

-King is there to protect from themselves-implied agreement=they lay down their natural rights

-Social contract between people to establish king. NOT between king and people -He believed individuals needed to give up certain freedoms to a strong central authority to ensure peace and stability in society.

-Saw king Charles 1 get decapitated

-can only revolt if king outright says imma kill you

-religion under kings departments-could lead to civil war-between divine or royal law, choose king or death

Common Sense

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776 that advocated for American independence from Britain. It argued for the natural rights of individuals and the rejection of monarchical rule, influencing public opinion toward the revolutionary cause.

democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives. Democracies typically emphasize individual rights, equality, and the participation of citizens in political processes.

republic

-In a republic, representatives are elected by the citizenry, and the government is subject to the rule of law.

-A republic is a form of government where power rests with the people and their elected representatives, and there is no ruling king or queen-

difference between democracy and republic bc I dont want benett mad at us

A democracy is a system of government where the power rests with the people, while a republic is a specific form of government where the state is ruled by elected representatives and a constitution that limits the power of the majority

popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, typically through their elected representatives.

the political principle that the authority and legitimacy of a government are created, sustained, and controlled by the will of its people

inalienable rights

Rights that cannot be taken away or denied, often considered fundamental and inherent to every individual, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

liberty

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views. Liberty is often seen as a fundamental human right essential for individual autonomy.

rights

Entitlements or freedoms that are guaranteed to individuals, often protected by law, ensuring their ability to act and live freely.

participatory democracy

a form of democracy where citizens have the right to participate actively in political decision-making, ensuring that their voices influence policy and governance.

pluralist theory

a political theory emphasizing that multiple groups compete for power and influence, leading to a balanced democracy where no single entity dominates.

Public policy emerges from the continuous competition, negotiation, and tug-of-war between these rival factions

Explains how everyday citizens can use grassroots organizing and advocacy to influence laws. It highlights the open, decentralized nature of policymaking

a political science concept stating that power is spread across many diverse interest groups competing to influence public policy

Elitist theory

a political theory suggesting that a small, elite group holds power and makes decisions on behalf of the larger population, often sidelining the input and needs of the majority.

Two Treaties of Government

-A work by John Locke-1689- outlining his theories on government and natural rights, emphasizing the social contract and the right to revolution against tyranny.

-Rejected Divine Right, Introduced the Social Contract, Justified Revolution, the book defended the Glorious Revolution in England and later inspired the American and French Revolutions

civic virtue

a concept in political philosophy emphasizing the importance of citizen participation, responsible behavior, and ethical conduct in promoting the common good and sustaining democracy.

common good

the benefit or interests of the community as a whole, promoting social welfare and collective well-being over individual interests.

veil of ignorance

A thought experiment by John Rawls that asks individuals to design a just society without knowledge of their own social status, abilities, or personal circumstances, ensuring fairness and impartiality in decision-making.

The Original Position: You imagine yourself in an initial state of equality before society is built.

The Veil: You must choose the rules, laws, and structure of this society while standing behind a "veil of ignorance".

The Ignorance: The veil blocks you from knowing your race, gender, wealth, social status, religion, intelligence, or physical abilities.

The Result: Because you do not know who you will turn out to be once the veil is lifted—you might be rich or poor, healthy or disabled—you will naturally design a society that is fair to everyone.

John Rawls

an American political philosopher known for his theory of justice as fairness, articulated in his book "A Theory of Justice." His ideas emphasize the importance of social cooperation and the principles of justice that would be chosen behind the veil of ignorance.

-grew up poor during 40s

-society as a whole is unfair

-your situation based on luck

-if you don’t experience, you wont understand, if you don’t understand, you wont help-

-injustice happens bc “I don’t have it as bad, sit down and shut up”

• John Rawls was an influential American political philosopher who developed the concept of justice as fairness, focusing on how principles of justice should be selected in a hypothetical original position where individuals operate behind a veil of ignorance. His work highlights the arbitrary nature of individual circumstances and advocates for a fair and equitable society.

classical republicanism

A political philosophy emphasizing civic participation, the common good, and the importance of a virtuous citizenry in governance, rooted in ancient Rome and Greece.

ideals of duty, public service, and avoidance of corruption into foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence.

Natural Rights

The rights inherent to all individuals, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which are considered universal and not contingent upon government or society.

-Rights you have simply by being born, not from laws or governments.

government

The institution or system by which a community or nation is governed, encompassing the processes through which laws are created, enforced, and interpreted.

politics

The activities associated with governance, decision-making, and the distribution of power and resources within a community or society.

euqality

The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities, ensuring that everyone receives fair treatment and has access to the same resources.

direct democracy

A form of democracy in which people directly participate in decision-making and law creation, rather than electing representatives to do so on their behalf. -directly voting