1-Page Paper (Section I)

What is freedom to Thomas Paine/Common Sense?

Freedom is self-rule and total independence from the corrupt hereditary British monarchy

What is the extent of government authority to Thomas Paine/Common Sense?

Government is a necessary evil, but it must accurately represent people; should be as simple and small as possible

Where does power/authority come from, according to Thomas Paine/Common Sense?

God and Scripture are the ultimate sources of power, which the British monarchy goes directly against. The people also have the right to revoke power from their government.

How is tyranny described by Thomas Paine/Common Sense?

Tyranny is a senseless monarchy that goes against God and nature, and necessitates violent rebellion; stems from politically outdated doctrines and circumstances.

What is the role of the individual, according to Thomas Paine/Common Sense?

The individual should be morally responsible and reasonable, with a duty to dismantle the monarchy and establish a democratic structure

How should representation in government be constructed, according to Thomas Paine/Common Sense?

Representation should be as simple and direct as possible; strongest within the local/state sphere; based on frequent elections and equal voting rights

What is the nature of humanity, according to Thomas Paine/Common Sense?

Humans are not angels, but are generally reasonable and desire liberty and freedom; naturally created equal

What should stability and change look like, according to Thomas Paine/Common Sense?

Change should be made when necessary, and stability will come after successful liberation from tyrannical powers

What is freedom to the Declaration of Independence?

Freedom is the natural condition of humans; rights are inalienable and inherent, bestowed by the “Creator”, for “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”

What is the extent of government authority in the Declaration of Independence?

Government serves as a protection of a peoples’ rights, and may be judged by the outcomes/abolished if the people deem necessary

Where does power/authority come from, according to the Declaration of Independence?

Power is bestowed by the people - a natural right endowed by the Creator - and governance requires consent of those people;

How is tyranny described by the Declaration of Independence?

Tyranny comes from a “long train of [continued] abuses” by a peoples’ government onto the people, even after their consent is retracted

What is the role of the individual, according to the Declaration of Independence?

The individual should be able to choose representation, through which public opinions and ideas will be filtered and refined within the institution of a democratic government

How should representation in government be constructed, according to the Declaration of Independence?

Representation derives all power from “consent of the governed”, and elected officials should strive for the protection of the peoples’ natural rights

What is the nature of humanity, according to the Declaration of Independence?

Humans can act radically when needed, but prefer stability

What should stability and change look like, according to the Declaration of Independence?

Stability is valued, and change/revolution are last-minute resorts for a society, justified by “long trains of abuses”

What is freedom to the Constitution?

Freedom is secured by limited, enumerated federal powers and structural protections

What is the extent of government authority to the Constitution?

Government is a necessary organizer of the country, designed to be competent and hold legitimate, secured power; checks and balances, separated powers

Where does power/authority come from, according to the Constitution?

Power and authority are bestowed by the people unto themselves and their government as they so choose

How is tyranny described by the Constitution?

Tyranny is the imbalance of power provided to a specific government branch; protected against by checks and balances and the separation of powers

What is the role of the individual, according to the Constitution?

The individual, protected by the government, chooses their representation, through which public opinion is refined; specific civic duties to participate in the nation’s democracy

How should representation in government be constructed, according to the Constitution?

The House of Representatives should serve closest to the real people of America; the Senate should represent more closely the states themselves; the Supreme Court should be insulated and unbiased; the Executive Branch should be singular and oversee federal and foreign laws

What is the nature of humanity, according to the Constitution?

Humans are self-interested and power-seeking, and should not be trusted with too much government power

What should stability and change look like, according to the Constitution?

Stability is a priority to a government and should be maintained by existing power structures, while change may be facilitated through the amendments

What is freedom to the Bill of Rights?

The Bill of Rights explicitly states specific protections that the American people are guaranteed (speech, due process, speedy trial, etc.)

What is the extent of government authority to the Bill of Rights?

Government should not be trusted, and rules assuming possible abuse of power should be created and implemented

Where does power/authority come from, according to the Bill of Rights?

Similarly to the Constitution, power and authority ultimately belongs to the people and the states

How is tyranny described by the Bill of Rights?

Tyranny is the unjust, centralized exercise of powers that violates individual liberties

What is the role of the individual, according to Bill of Rights?

The individual is a sovereign rights-holder, and an independent agent who has fundamental freedoms regardless of government say

How should representation in government be constructed, according to Bill of Rights?

All rights listed in the Bill of Rights apply to all, regardless of whether or not they are represented in the federal government; the House of Representatives is based on population, and the Senate is based on equal state representation

What is the nature of humanity, according to the Bill of Rights?

Humans are inherently free, rational, equal in value, and endowed with inalienable rights, while government is fallible and likely to overreach

What should stability and change look like, according to the Bill of Rights?

Clearly defined limits to government leads to freedom and stability for the people

What is freedom to the Federalist Papers?

Freedom is a secure, well-ordered state/nation with slow, stable movements and checked power

What is the extent of government authority to the Federalist Papers?

Government is necessary, as conflict is unavoidable

Where does power/authority come from, according to the Federalist Papers?

Authority is derived from and dependent on society/the people

How is tyranny described by the Federalist Papers?

Tyranny can be described as the crushing of the minority by the majority, or the imbalance of power without checks and balances

What is the role of the individual, according to the Federalist Papers?

People must be managed and opinions must be filtered through a virtuous government structure

How should representation in government be constructed, according to the Federalist Papers?

The federal government should be chosen by the people, with the intent of being stable and continuously informed of the nation’s affairs, keeping in mind the common good

What is the nature of humanity, according to the Federalist Papers?

Humans are generally self-interested, especially in government

What should stability and change look like, according to the Federalist Papers?

Change must be made slowely and deliberately; stability is always desired

What is freedom to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy?

Freedom exists in mutual obligation of a community, rooted in the “Great Law of Peace”, and should embody collective sovereignty

What is the extent of government authority to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy?

Government should be a facilitator of harmony, not a controller of human behavior; guided by the Clan Mothers

Where does power/authority come from for the Haudenosaunee Confederacy?

The people hold power and authority, and their leaders carry out their will

How is tyranny described by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy?

Tyranny stems from power and decision made without the decision/consensus from the community

What is the role of the individual, for the Haudenosaunee Confederacy?

The individual is important and should not be isolated, but instead connected and actively participating in their community

How should representation in government be constructed, according to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy?

Representation in government should be based on collective agreement, wisdom (seniority), and establishing peace

What is the nature of humanity, according to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy?

Humans can be cooperative and responsible for each other

What should stability and change look like, according to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy?

Continuing/sticking to tradition leads to stability