Documents

Antigone

A Greek tragedy by Sophocles presenting the conflict between natural/divine law and man-made law.

Thrasymachus

A character in Plato's Republic who argues that justice is the advantage of the stronger.

Natural rights

John Locke's concept that life, liberty, and property are God-given rights that predate government.

Separation of powers

Montesquieu's principle that divides government into legislative, executive, and judiciary branches.

Magna Carta

A 1215 document that established the principle of due process and limits on royal power.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document drafted by Jefferson asserting U.S. independence and outlining natural rights.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by Madison arguing that a large republic can control factions and promote the public good.

Judicial review

The power of the courts to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional, established in Marbury v. Madison.

Commerce Clause

The constitutional clause granting Congress the authority to regulate commerce among the states.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, designed to protect individual liberties from government infringement.

McCulloch v. Maryland

An 1819 case establishing implied powers of Congress and the supremacy of federal law over state law.

U.S. v. Lopez

A 1995 Supreme Court case limiting Congress's power under the Commerce Clause regarding possession of firearms in school zones.

Brutus No. 1

An Antifederalist paper arguing against the Constitution, emphasizing the risks of centralized power.

Social contract

The agreement among individuals to create a government that protects their rights, as proposed by Locke.

Right to revolution

The idea that people may overthrow a government that fails to protect their natural rights, articulated by Locke.

Checks and balances

A system ensuring that no one branch of government becomes too powerful, as emphasized in Federalist No. 51.

Elastic Clause

The clause in the Constitution that allows Congress to pass laws deemed necessary and proper to execute its powers.

Federalism

The division of power between the national and state governments, a key concept in the U.S. Constitution.