PolySci Quiz 1 Studyguide

Civil Discourse

Respectful discussion aimed at understanding.

Socratic Method

Learning through questioning and examining ideas.

Purpose of Government

Protect rights, maintain order, and serve the people.

Democracy

Government where political power comes from the people.

Popular Sovereignty

Government gets its power from the people.

Rule of Law

Everyone, including government, must follow the law.

Thomas Hobbes

Argued that strong government is needed to prevent disorder.

State of Nature — Hobbes

Life without government, marked by insecurity and conflict.

Social Contract — Hobbes

People give up freedom for government protection.

John Locke

Argued that people have natural rights and government needs consent.

Natural Rights

Rights people have by nature: life, liberty, and property.

Social Contract — Locke

Government exists to protect people’s natural rights.

Consent of the Governed

Government is legitimate only with the people’s consent.

Right of Revolution

People can replace a government that violates their rights.

Montesquieu

Argued that separated government powers protect liberty.

Separation of Powers

Dividing government power among branches.

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the others.

Declaration of Independence

Declared independence and stated principles of government.

Unalienable Rights

Rights that cannot legitimately be taken away.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government; created a weak national government.

Federalists

Supported the Constitution and a stronger national government.

Anti-Federalists

Feared a strong national government could threaten liberty.

James Madison

Supported checks, balances, and a large republic to control factions.

Double Security

Liberty is protected by divided government power and popular control.

Faction

A group pursuing interests that may harm others or the common good.

Great Compromise

Created a House based on population and Senate with equal states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted enslaved people as three-fifths for representation and taxation.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting individual liberties.

Article V

Establishes the constitutional amendment process.

Civil Liberties

Freedoms protected from government interference.

Civil Rights

Protections against unequal treatment and discrimination.

Equal Protection

Government must provide equal protection under the law.

14th Amendment

Provides citizenship, due process, and equal protection.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Upheld racial segregation under “separate but equal.”

Brown v. Board

Ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Separate but Equal

Doctrine allowing segregation if facilities were supposedly equal.

Incitement

Speech intended and likely to cause imminent unlawful action.