Study Guide: The Rise of Democratic Ideas

Flashcards testing all 35 study guide questions covering Ancient Greek, Roman, and Judeo-Christian roots of democracy, English political developments, key Enlightenment thinkers, types of government systems, and primary source quotes.

What basic form of government is defined by the principle that citizens have the power to govern themselves?

Democracy

What key idea regarding education and reason did both Plato and Aristotle advocate for citizens?

Both advocated using reason and education to foster civic virtue, enable wise self-governance, and ensure that leadership and law are guided by logic rather than arbitrary emotion.

According to the Justinian Code, what are the primary duties and legal responsibilities of a ruler?

To govern according to established written laws, maintain order, guarantee justice, and protect the rights and welfare of citizens.

What type of government did ancient Athens practice, where citizens directly participate in lawmaking rather than through elected representatives?

Direct democracy

What is a republic, and how does it differ from a direct democracy?

A republic is a representative democracy where citizens elect representatives to make laws and govern on their behalf, whereas in a direct democracy citizens make laws and govern directly.

Identify key democratic ideas that came from ancient Rome. Which idea—such as rule by absolute monarchs—did Rome NOT advocate?

Rome contributed representative democracy (a republic), equal treatment under law, and written legal codes. Rome did NOT advocate rule by absolute monarchs.

What does the legal principle "rule of law" state regarding how people are treated under the law?

It states that all people, including monarchs, government officials, and citizens, are equally subject to and accountable under the law.

What fundamental belief about human worth and value comes from Judeo-Christian traditions?

The belief in the intrinsic worth, moral dignity, and equality of every human individual.

The Scientific Revolution revived the Greco-Roman belief that the natural world is governed by laws that can be understood using what tool?

Reason (along with logic and observation)

What was the 17th-century political theory called that claimed European monarchs received their authority directly from God?

Divine Right of Kings (Divine Right)

What form of government was established in England as a result of the Glorious Revolution?

A constitutional monarchy (or limited monarchy)

Why was the English Bill of Rights significant for limiting power and protecting individuals?

It limited the absolute power of the monarch, guaranteed parliamentary supremacy, ensured free elections, and protected rights such as freedom of speech within Parliament.

What is common law, and how did it develop in England over time?

Common law is a legal system based on customs, traditions, and court precedents established by judicial decisions over time, rather than written statutory codes alone.

What was the Magna Carta, and how did it limit the power of the English king (especially regarding taxation)?

Signed in 1215, the Magna Carta was a historic charter that restricted royal authority by ruling that the king could not levy taxes without the consent of the nobles/council and that everyone must follow the law.

What intellectual movement emphasized using reason and logic to reform government and protect natural rights?

The Enlightenment

Which specific Enlightenment concepts heavily influenced major American documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?

Natural rights (life, liberty, property/pursuit of happiness), social contract theory, popular sovereignty, and the separation of powers.

What form of government did Thomas Hobbes advocate because of his negative view of human nature?

Absolute monarchy

What core values and beliefs did the Enlightenment promote regarding human progress, society, and reason?

It promoted confidence in human reason, individual liberty, equality, scientific inquiry, and the belief in society's capacity for continuous human progress.

What specific idea developed by Montesquieu was incorporated into the U.S. Constitution to prevent any single government branch from gaining too much power?

Separation of powers (along with checks and balances)

How were the methods and ideas of the Scientific Revolution connected to the Enlightenment?

The Scientific Revolution's reliance on empirical observation and reason inspired Enlightenment thinkers to apply similar rational methods to human society, ethics, and government.

Which philosopher argued that all humans are born with the natural rights to life, liberty, and property?

John Locke

Which Enlightenment thinker strongly defended freedom of speech, famously stating he would defend to the death a person's right to say what they think?

Voltaire

What dramatic effect did the printing press have on European literacy and society?

It dramatically increased literacy rates, made books more affordable, and allowed political, scientific, and religious ideas to spread rapidly across European society.

What is the term for the concept where people give up certain freedoms to a ruler or government in exchange for social order and protection?

Social contract

According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, where does a government derive its legitimate authority to rule?

From the consent of the governed (the general will of the people).

Define a Democracy (specifically a representative democracy / republic).

A form of government in which political authority belongs to the people, who elect representatives to create laws and govern the state.

Define an Oligarchy.

A system of government ruled by a small, elite group of powerful individuals.

Define a Theocracy.

A system of government ruled by religious leaders who claim divine authority and govern according to religious doctrine.

Define Anarchy.

A state of lawlessness resulting from the total absence of government, legal systems, or central authority.

Define a Monarchy.

A system of government headed by a single ruler, such as a king or queen, whose title is typically passed down through family inheritance.

Define Communism in terms of private property, social classes, and government.

A system in which private property is abolished, social classes are eliminated, and the government or collective owns and controls all property and economic production.

Define Socialism in terms of government ownership and economic distribution.

An economic and political system where major means of production and resources are owned or regulated by the government/community to ensure equitable distribution.

Define a Dictatorship.

A government system where absolute and unrestricted power is concentrated in the hands of a single ruler (a dictator).

In the excerpt stating "The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it… no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions," which Enlightenment philosopher wrote this statement?

John Locke

According to the quote "The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it…", where do human beings get their fundamental power and rights?

From natural law and reason, which dictate that because all people are equal and independent, no individual has the right to harm another's life, health, liberty, or possessions.