Classical Republicanism, Natural Rights, and British/Colonial History Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering Classical Republicanism, Natural Rights philosophies of Hobbes and Locke, and foundational British/Colonial documents.

Classical Republicanism

A political philosophy centered on the good of the whole achieved through representation, civic virtue, small homogenous communities, communitarianism, and mixed government.

Civic Virtue

Doing what is right for the Good of the Whole (GotW).

Classical Republican Thinkers

Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates.

Classical Republican Leaders

Cicero, Cincinnatus, and GW (George Washington).

THICK Relationships

A key element of Classical Republicanism where community is paramount and requires some sacrifice of individual interests.

Thomas Hobbes' State of Nature

A state where man is incapable of goodness and views individuals as atoms; State of Nature equals civil war and absolute terror, making security most important.

John Locke's State of Nature

A state where man is born free and equal, reasonable, and understands limits, with liberty being the most important aspect.

Social Contract

An agreement needed to create a government that creates security of natural rights.

Hobbes' Social Contract

A contract that cannot be broken once made, and consent cannot be taken back.

Locke's Social Contract

A dynamic agreement where consent is ongoing and it is man's duty to break the contract when the government doesn't hold up to its end; considered the textbook of the American Revolution.

Thin Relationships

A concept associated with Natural Rights philosophy where individual rights are paramount.

Precedential Documents

Historical founding documents including Magna Carta, Petition of Rights, English Bill of Rights, Massachusetts Body of Liberties, Act of Toleration, and Virginia Dec of Rights/Dec of Ind.

Shared Principles of Precedential Documents

Limiting powers of government, separate powers, checks/balances, and popular sovereignty.

Rule of Law

The principle that laws protect citizens and no one is above the law.

Core Features of Colonial Governments

Fundamental individual rights, rule of law, representation, separation of powers, and popular sovereignty.