Political Science Final

Define Natural Law

the idea that human affairs should be governed by certain ethical principles(ex. prohibits murder, rape, robbery, etc.)

Purpose of government according to Aristotle

The government is necessary to protect people’s general rights.

Government according to Thomas Aquinas.

Believed that government should follow the christian church because god relayed what was right/wrong and the church was how gods word was interpreted. Aquinas also disagreed with the divine right of kings.

the divine right of Kings.

god created certain people for the purpose of ruling. kings typically ruled with a heavy hand and power was handed down through generations.

What was the enlightenment?

a period of time where individuals began to challenge existing beliefs and practices, such as why one needs to go to church to speak to god and why only kings get to rule. Led to individuals wanting to CREATE THEIR OWN RULES and CHOOSE THEIR OWN LEADERS. People then decided to move to a new country in order to establish the their own government.

Who were the Separatists?

people who believed that they could speak to god directly, and thus sought new lands which would allow them to establish their own religions and government.

Define Social Contract Theory.

The idea that all individuals are born equal and provided a god given right to consent to be governed. credited to John Locke.

Thomas Hobbes

credited for his reasons to have a government. We have to have a government because people are selfish, individualistic, and constantly at war with each other and therefore need to be controlled.

John Locke

Wrote the Social contract Theory “all individuals are born equal and provided a god given right to consent to be governed.

Define Government.

The legitimate use of force to control human behavior within territorial boundaries.

What are the three goals of government?

1. maintain order

2. provide public good

3. promote equality

   1. political equality

   2. equality of opportunity

   3. equality of outcome

Explain what it means to maintain order?

To preserve life and property, this is done by the government through making laws, hiring those to enforce laws and punishing those who break laws. (make, enforce, punish)

Explain what it means to provide public good.

to provide programs and services through the government which are usually not provided by the private sector which enhance our lives(ex. education, roads, parks, public transportation, sanitation)

What are the three different types of equality governments can promote, and do all governments seek equality for their people?

Political equality, equality of opportunity, and equality of outcome. No, not all governments seek equality for their people.

Political equality

one person, one vote(votes are counted the same), this is the first step of equality taken by governments that seek equality.

What is the first type of equality that governments who seek equality implement?

Political equality.

Define Equality of opportunity and provide examples.

Government programs to ensure individuals are given an EQUAL CHANCE in the activities or life. Ex. anti-discrimination laws(housing, pay…), evolution of marriage laws, accessible infrastructure(stairs>ramps/elevators)

Define equality of outcome.

Government programs to ensure that individuals are equal at the end of life’s activities. Ex. everyone has the same education or healthcare; affirmative action with quotas.

What is the original dilemma of modern government?

how much freedom are people willing to give up TO MAINTAIN ORDER? ex. lowering speed limit to protect civilians.

What is the modern dilemma of government?

How much freedom are people willing to give up FOR EQUALITY? ex. raising taxes to increase government programs.

What are the three values held by each person?

order, freedom, equality

What are the four political ideological orientations and briefly describe each?

liberal(equality>order>freedom)

conservative(order>freedom>equality)

libertarian(freedom>order>equality)

populist(freedom>equality>order)

Monarchy

Oligarchy/aristocracy