AP Gov

Constitutionality

Following the constitution/its guidance

Liberty/Order

Two differing notions that are a contrast within the government (think federalists v anti-federalists)

Civic Participation in a participating democracy

How many people/the idea of people participating within their democracy (i.e voting, running for office)

Competitive policy-making Interests

Differing ideologies within government that arise in legislation

Methods of political analysis

The different methods of interpretation of political strategies

Athenian Greece

Elitist (landowners first)

Landowners vote/participate
Had Direct Democracy

Ancient Rome

• ___ Republic → Re = concern Public = of the people

• Choose representatives who made decisions based on their behalfs

• More similar to the US

Magna Carta

• Nobles v King John

• Limited king’s power

• Cannot raise taxes without consent of council of nobles

• Cannot imprison nobles without reason

  • Guaranteed nobles a special trial

Petition of the Right

English constitutional document

Restricted monarchy further

King overtaxed; parliament wrote

English Government

Parliament:

• House of Lords: hereditary

  • House of Commons: voted into power by people

The Enlightment

Age of reason

critical thinking/logic applied to human behavior

• Break from tradition/fundamental theory of heredity

Natural Laws

• Natural Rights “state of nature”

  • Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

Social Contract

• Relation between individual/citizens, governments

• Mutual Consent: citizens give up rights in exchange for security

  • “Consent of the government”

English Bill of Rights

• Free election, expedited trials, prohibit cruel/unusual punishments, petition the monarch, no taxation without consent

John Calvin

“Institutes of the Christian Religion”

Humanity needed a higher institute

Thomas Hobbes

• Leviathan

  • Society = evil, need strong government

John Locke

Society = good/”consent of governed/right to overthrow”
Two Treatises of Government

Charles de Montesquieu

Spirit of the Laws

Ideal government → separated powers (legislative, executive and judicial)

Protects rights of individuals by prevent one branch from getting power

Jean Jacques Rosseau

Social Contract

Sovereign power (Supreme power) live in general community

rulers are community servants

Thomas Paine

“Common Sense”

Authority of government should originate from popular consent

Promoted the idea of an American republic where free citizens not a monarch

Put into words the thoughts of many Americans

Republicanism

Form of government where supreme power is held by the people/elected representatives

Populism

Form of government carried on by the people rather than being restricted by politicians

Egalitarianism

Government that believes that all people are created equal and thus deserve equal rights/opportunities

Natural Rights

Rights that are unalienable at birth (such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness)

Individualism

The habit of being independent/self-reliant

Social Contract

the “agreement between the citizens and the government that the citizen acquiesces some rights for protection

Popular Sovereignty

Supreme power/authority to the people to make decisions

Limited Government

A government that is small in power and control — hence “__”