gvt study guide 1

Liberalism

a political and moral philosophy based on individual liberty and equality

liberty

a state of freedom

positive liberty

freedom to act one's own will

negative liberty

freedom from outside interference

democracy

type of government in which the power is held by the people who exercise it through voting

direct democracy

every citizen votes on all government decisions

representative government

every citizen votes on representatives who then act on their behalf

state

an independent, sovereign government exercising control over a certain territory

nation

body of people united by common bonds of descent, history, culture, customs, religion, language, or values

nation-state

have 4 characteristics:
1. sovereignty
2. territory
3. population
4. government

government

The institutions through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces binding decisions on citizens.

Sovereignty

The supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries.

citizen

A legally recognized member of a state or nation. (Native or Naturalized)

Evolutionary Theory

argues that all governments originate from the family unit and evolve based on family structures

force theory

argues Government is born when one group or person gains control over another by force/violence

divine right theory

argues that rulers are divinely appointed and citizens are obligated to follow them

social contract theory

argues that government originates when individuals come together and create a contract/agreement with the sovereign or with the people

social contract

An implicit agreement between members of a community and their government

Tabula Rasa

The idea that people are born as a "blank slate" and shaped by experience.

natural rights

Rights given to people at birth that cannot be taken away.

state of nature

A hypothetical theory about how humans existed before society.

general will

A collective will that aims to organize government for the common good or common interest of the people

What is the difference between positive and negative Liberty

positive is freedom to act one's own will
negative is freedom from outside interference

According to the Evolutionary Theory of government, what institutions do governments come from?

the family unit

According to the Divine Right theory of government, where do rulers get their power?

God

What powers does the Legislative Branch have?

makes laws, declares war, controls tax

What powers does the Executive Branch have?

veto bills, in charge of military

What powers does the Judicial branch have?

interpreting meaning of laws, deciding if laws violate constitution

What checks does the Judicial Branch have on the legislative branch?

declare those laws unconstitutional

What checks does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive branch?

president can veto law, but legislative w/ enough votes can override the veto

According to the Force Theory of government, why do governments exist?

when one group or person gains control over another by force/violence

What is a Social Contract and who enters into this contract?

An implicit agreement between members of a community or between members of a community and their government

people and govt

According to divine right theory, why do rulers have the right to rule?

argues that rulers are divinely appointed and citizens are obligated to follow them

What is the difference between Representative and Direct Democracy?

direct: every citizen votes on all government decisions

rep: every citizen votes on representatives who then act on their behalf

What are the four main characteristics of a nation-state?

sovereignty, land, population, and government

What is Hobbes's view on the state of nature?

something to avoid except our own self-preservation (right of nature)

What is Locke's view on the state of nature?

is a peaceful existence

What is Rousseau's view on the state of nature?

neutral and peaceful condition where individuals act to their desire

What rights did the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights establish for Freemen in Britain?

magna carta:
- free men right to justice and a fair trial w a jury
- law above all men
free men inherit/own property

english bill of rights:
- elect members of parliament w/o king's interference
- freedom of speech

How did the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from previous documents like the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights?

- magna carta written 400 yrs before mayflower compact establishd principle of the rule of law and not a constitution
- for Fundamental Orders of Connecticut it was consent of people was source of political authority, not a monarch

According to the Declaration of Independence, what can a people do when a government is tyrannical?

overthrow it

According to the Declaration of Independence what inalienable rights were violated by the British?

king prevented judicial powers of the colonists

According to the Declaration of Independence what endowed the colonists with their inalienable rights?

their Creator

According to the Declaration of Independence, what have the colonists done before declaring independence?

demanded right of self government

What was the British response to Colonial petitions according to the Declaration of Independence?

ignored them

How does Locke's theory of Tabula Rasa Influence his view of the state of nature?

the mind of individual was born blank and emphasized freedom of individuals to author theirself

How does Hobbes's view of the state of nature shape his view of social contract theory?

unsustainable condition comes to end when individuals agree to social contract

How does Roussuea's view on the General Will shape his view of social contract theory?

freedom and authority are not contradictory since laws are founded on the general will of citizens

What led the colonists to rebel against the British and declare their independence?

did not have self government, high taxes, injuries