Lecture Notes on Freedom and the Magna Carta

Vocabulary flashcards drawn from lecture notes covering key concepts of freedom, the Magna Carta, and philosophical influences in political thought.

Concept of Freedom

The idea of freedom that has evolved over centuries, particularly influenced by events like the Treaty of Westphalia.

Individualism

A product of the scientific revolution; the belief that individuals are inherently equal.

Universalism

The idea that all individuals share common inherent rights.

Secularism

The separation of political and religious spheres.

Magna Carta

A foundational legal document that limited the powers of the king and established certain legal principles.

Rule of Law

The principle that no one is above the law; everyone must follow the law, including the government.

Common Law

A body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts.

Trial by Jury

A legal proceeding in which a jury makes a decision or findings of fact.

Government of Law

The concept that laws govern a nation, as opposed to arbitrary decisions by individual government officials.

Glorious Revolution

The 1688 overthrow of King James II of England, which established parliamentary sovereignty.

Hobbes' View of Freedom

Hobbes posited that freedom is defined by the absence of coercion by laws.

Locke's View of Freedom

Locke proposed that freedom exists within the structure of laws that protect individuals' rights.

Positive Freedom

A concept of freedom associated with achieving one's full potential and autonomy.

Negative Freedom

Freedoms defined by the absence of constraints or interference from others.

Social Contract Theory

The theory that individuals consent to form a government that will protect their rights.

John Locke

A philosopher who advocated for the protection of individual rights through government.

Political Sovereignty

The principle that the government is created by the consent of the governed.

Equality Before the Law

The legal principle that all individuals are to be treated equally in the eyes of the law.

Limited Government

A political system where the powers of the government are restricted to protect individual rights.

Civil Society

A society characterized by the participation of citizens in political and legal processes, beyond just their roles as voters.

Legitimacy of Rebellion

The concept that citizens can legitimately rise against their government under certain conditions.

Pax Romana

The long period of relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire, influencing the idea of public order in governance.