Kofi's Social Science Midterm Study Guide Bruh

State of nature

The existence of people without an overseeing authority.

Social contract

An agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior for people living together in society.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher who viewed government as a device for ensuring collective security through a social contract.

John Locke

Philosopher known for advocating limited government and natural rights, arguing that citizens can overthrow their government under certain circumstances.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher who defines democracy and argues that government provides stability absent in the state of nature.

Impartial spectator

An internal conversation used to examine moral dilemmas as an outsider.

Division of labor

The separation of tasks in an economic system or organization for specialization.

Competitive advantage

The ability of a company to produce goods or deliver services better than its competitors.

Invisible hand

The metaphor that describes the unintended social benefits of individual actions in a free market.

Public policy

The decisions that create the outputs of a political system.

Rule of law

The restriction of arbitrary power by subordinating it to well-defined laws.

Power

The capacity to influence, lead, dominate, or otherwise impact the lives and actions of others.

Authority

The legitimate or socially approved power that one person or group holds over another.

Legitimacy

The belief that a rule, institution, or leader has the right to govern.

Sovereignty

Dominant power or supreme authority.

Preamble of the Declaration of Independence

Explains the reasons a group wants to break political ties with another group.

Declaration of Human Rights

States that all men are created equal with certain natural rights.

List of grievances

A list of complaints the colonists had with King George.

Redress

The act of petitioning for a change.

Shay’s Rebellion

A rebellion that led to the end of the Articles of Confederation.

Three branches of government

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches.

Federalism

A system of government where the same territory is controlled by two levels of government.

The Great Compromise

Established a two-house legislature including representation based on population.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights.

Amendment 13

Abolished slavery.

Amendment 14

Established citizenship rights and equal protection under the law.

Amendment 15

Prohibits denial of the right to vote due to race.

Amendment 18

Prohibition of alcohol.

Amendment 19

Granted women the right to vote.

Amendment 21

Repealed Prohibition.

Amendment 26

Granted the right to vote at 18 years old.

Libertarianism

A political philosophy that values freedom and liberty highly.

Authoritarianism

A political system characterized by strong central power and limited political pluralism.

Progressive/Liberal

Believes in equality, individual liberty, and supports private property and individual rights.

Moderate

An ideological position against radical or extreme political views.

Conservatism

A philosophy that promotes and preserves traditional institutions, customs, and values.