Gov Chapter 1.1 Exam: Introduction to American Government + Lockean Philosophy

Executive Branch

President

Legislative Branch

Congress (House of Representatives + Senate)

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court

Why is the Social Contract better than living in the Purge?

• Social Contract allows for order, safety

• Purge would be anarchy, no safety, lots of crime

What is the Government’s one job?

To pass laws that protect our natural rights

"self-evident” (DoI)

no proof needed; universally known

“all men are created equal” (DoI)

• everyone is equal from birth

• Jefferson believed it but “everyone” to him meant white landowners

“unalienable rights” (DoI)

natural rights that can’t be taken away

“pursuit of Happiness” (DoI)

• to be able to chase your dreams and have a chance at happiness

• The American Dream

“Governments are instituted among Men” (DoI)

government created and agreed upon among the people

“consent of the governed” (DoI)

legitimacy; the people must agree to be governed by a government

“Right of the People to alter or to abolish it” (DoI)

• people have the right to change or destroy the government if it isn’t serving the people

• frequent + fair elections (Midterm→Congress, Presidential)

“organizing its powers” (DoI)

checks + balances; have a system that separates its powers between different bodies

“to effect their Safety and Happiness” (DoI)

• happiness to colonies is the ability to make money

• checks + balances ensure safety and happiness among its people

State of Nature

Condition of humanity without organized government, societies, civil lawss

Natural Rights

• basic rights that every person is born with

• right to life, liberty, property (Locke’s definition)

Consent of the Governed

• the belief that a government’s power comes from the approval of the people it rules

• consent is implicit/tacit→following laws, going to school until 16, paying taxes, being in US, voting

Social Contract

unspoken agreement where the people give up some freedoms, in exchange for the government protecting their rights and providing order

Inalienable Rights

• rights that cannot be given away or taken by others

• subsection of natural rights

• ex. life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

Happiness

• American Dream

• ex. house w/ family

Popular Sovereignty

the principle that the leaders of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people

Government

system or group of people that makes, enforces, interprets rules for society

Republicanism

power is held by elected representatives

Constitutional Republic

republic guided by a written constitution that outlines the government structure and limits its power

Limited Government

government whose power is limited to protect individual rights

Declaration of Independence

document declaring America’s separation from Britain and their reasons for it