AP Gov Unit 1
Aristotle's State of Nature
'Natural Laws' - laws found in nature throughout time or history
Enlightenment
-time of illumination AKA "Age of Reason" -after renaissance from 1600s to 1700s -use rational thought to explain social/natural phenomenon -rid world of superstition and ignorance
Thomas Hobbes' Ideal Government
Absolute Monarchy -Benevolent Dictator
John Locke's Ideal Government
Constitutional Monarchy- Representative democracy
Jean Jacques Rousseau's Ideal Government
Direct Democracy
Jean Jacques Rousseau's Role of Government
Governments must follow the general will, consensus of the people it governs
John Locke's Role of Government
Governments must guarantee: 1. Life 2. Liberty 3. Property 4. Pursuit of Happiness?
Baron Des Montesquieu's Role of Government
Governments must maintain law and order and protect personal liberty of citizens. Separation of power between branches of government.
Thomas Hobbes' Role of Government
Governments must promote peace and security. Eliminate obstacles that threaten people.
Harold Lasswell says what about politics
It is "Who gets what, when and how"
Thomas Hobbes' State of Nature
People are free, BUT afraid and oppressed. Life is nasty, brutish, short
John Locke's State of Nature
People are free, BUT have certain natural rights: life, liberty, property
Jean Jacques Rousseau's State of Nature
Peoples are free, equal and happy. Utopian, idyllic
Baron Des Montesquieu's Ideal Government
Republic
Aristotle's Ideal Government
Republic - Rule of Law
Baron Des Montesquieu's State of Nature
Timid people unite for strength then take from weaker
Public policy
all things government is doing to address, correct, or influence issue
Bad government
corrupt, dis-organized, reactionary, closed, arrogant, unchanging, grid-locked, uncompromising, unstable, polarized, inefficient, lazy, introspective, oppressive
Roman early attempts at republic
created a set body of law (republic); twelve tables; provided protection against arbitrary abuse of power. Rep. Democracy: senate
Examples of substantive view
due process when arrested, court decisions, civil rights
Role of government
essential purpose of government, its primary focus in regulating behavior
Greek early attempts at democracy
first known attempt at democracy to prevent abuses of power previously seen: citizen's assembly created to make laws
Divine Right Theory
government are established and ordained by God or a higher power - Eastern philosophy= Mandate of Heaven
Social Contract Theory
governments are formed when people form voluntary, unspoken agreements to make rules and share in responsibilities of the group
Evolutionary Theory
governments evolved out of extended family structures and clans of related groups
Force Theory
governments were created or borne out of conflict over resources and submission of conquered, dominated people
What is government
institution through which society makes and enforces its public policies organization that establishes rules and laws for the people to follow and punishments for those who don't
Substantive View
looks at outcomes of government to determine level of democracy; guaranteeing liberty and protecting rights
examples of issues
pollution, abortion, childhood obesity, coral bleaching
Politics
process of determining leaders we select and policies they pursue
Good government
rational, trustworthy, open, transparent, ordered, accountable, flexible, visionary, honest, pro-active, accessible, cooperative, collaborative, good listener, servant, responsive
Issue
something occurring or going on that has an effect on people
Procedural vs. substantive
substantive model does not provide clear criteria to determine levels of democratic government; hard to quantify Procedural model does not take into account undesirable policies sometimes created that violate minority rights
What is political philosophy
theories of where governments came from
State of Nature
timer period before governments' were established when men lived in complete freedom
Aristotle's Role of Government
to provide justice, fairness ethics and morality- governments must act in an ethical manner
examples of public policy
vending machines, fines
Procedural View
view that looks at processes of government to determine level of democracy; participation, equality, majority rule and response
Examples of procedural Views
voting, elections, initiatives, referendums, etc.
Ideal Government
what government organizations will best accomplish the goals and role of gov as envisioned by the theorist