Government A
After the Declaration of Independence was ratified, it was not widely read, or distributed.
False
John Locke and Thomas Hobbes had nearly the same views of government
False
Rousseau wrote about the importance of three branches of government and how these three check each other.
False
The committee which was charged to write the Declaration of Independence believed the document was going to be a turning point in history.
False
The Founders of the American government were greatly influenced by Montesquieu.
False. The Founders were greatly influenced by John Locke and his philosophy of government.
In your reading, you have learned about four types of democracies. Please pick one and explain why it is better than the others
I believe that for today's society in America, direct democracy is the best choice. Direct democracy depends on the popular sovereignty of the people, and decisions are made directly based on their votes. Some governments may be wary of this system, especially if citizens aren't educated and are easily swayed by crafty politicians. Today, however, in most developed countries, basic education is mandatory. Citizens have the responsibility to educate themselves and with this job comes the privilege to form the laws that guide the country. I think direct democracy would allow the people themselves a greater voice, one that will help the government become closer in touch to citizens instead of relying on the beliefs of a few potentially inaccurate representatives.
Evaluate and explain the influence John Locke had on the Founders and Framers of the Constitution.
Locke had a pretty large impact in the Founders and Framers of the Constitution, as well as those who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Predominant among his ideas were the idea of the social contract, in which the people must give their consent to be governed. Developing off of this are the protection of natural rights, which Locke defined as life, liberty and property. The constitution, especially the bill of rights, supported this idea, granting citizens the freedom of expression, the freedom to bear arms, and defense from cruel and unusual punishment, among many other ideas.
In your own words, describe four specific examples of how English documents such as the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights influenced American political ideas during the time of the Revolution.
Several English documents influenced American political ideas. The oldest, the Magna Carta, had demanded from the English king that government and laws be carried out equally, ideals still pertinent in the government that carries out laws today. Years later to the beginnings of English colonies in America came the Mayflower Compact. The constitution and declaration of independence state the the right to self government, which is what the Mayflower Compact originally defined. The English Bill of Rights influenced the American Bill of Rights, a part of the constitution that still holds true today. People in America are promised no cruel and unusual punishment as well as the right to bear arms. These ideas were introduced by this important document. Finally, Cato's letters contributed to the writing of America's important document, especially advocating freedom of expression that is a defining element of the constitution today. There are many more documents that influenced American political ideals, but these four were especially impactful.
The thinkers of the Enlightenment reasoned that law governed both heavenly and human affairs. As such, the law...
The concept of liberty plays a very important role in social contract theory, particularly in its discussion of sovereignty and natural rights. The thinkers of the Enlightenment reasoned that law governed both heavenly and human affairs, and that law gave the king his power, rather than the king's power giving force to law. The conception of law as a relationship between individuals, rather than families, came to the fore, and with it the increasing focus on individual liberty as a fundamental reality, given by "Nature and Nature's God," which, in an ideal state, would be as expansive as possible. Thus, Enlightenment thinkers' conception of liberty was that a free individual is most free within the context of a state which provides stability through its laws.
The beginning of the Preamble of the Declaration of the Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...." Please state in your own words what this means.
The preamble reiterates many ideas discussed by philosophers of government. The first sentence describes that all men have natural rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Natural rights are rights they are born with, or "endowed by their Creator with." The next phrase details the purpose of government aligns with the social contract--the people must give consent to their government and vice versa. Governments must exist to protect natural rights, but they cannot operate without the permission of the governed.
A country protects its citizens from outside attacks, but it also needs to protect its citizens from one another.
True
A theocracy exists when a religious group rules the government.
True
An early principle of capitalism dictates that markets should be free from government control.
True
An example of civil liberties might include the right to fair trial.
True
Anarchism is the absence of hierarchy or authority in nearly any form.
True
Deliberate democracy is based upon a government that is a government by discussion.
True
Examples of judicial functions are when the United States Supreme Court interprets the Constitution, reviews laws, and decides cases dealing with states' rights.
True
Governments originated from the need to protect people from conflicts.
True
John Locke believed that people have the right to revolt if they believe that their government has broken the contract between those in power and the governed.
True
The Age of Enlightenment took place in Europe during the 1600-1700s.
True
The US government created the Federal Reserve as part of its responsibility in monitoring the economy.
True
The most common system of government that is deemed democratic in the modern world is a parliamentary democracy.
True
During the 20th century, governments formed alliances and fought great wars in the name of protection and order.
True.
Which best describes a democracy?
a. A government which is "ruled by the people". b. An egalitarian form of government. c. A system of government in which the citizens determine public policy. d. All of the above.
Which BEST describes the "state of nature"?
a. A time before governments were created.
Democracies usually
a. Have political leaders with varied personal backgrounds.
Thomas Paine wrote the pamphlet Common Sense. Which of the following is true of Common Sense?
a. Paine gave all his proceeds from the sale of the pamphlet to the revolutionary cause. b. The pamphlets were read by many Americans throughout the colonies. c. The pamphlets were meant to boost morale and exhort the revolution. d. All of the above.
Which is (are) example(s) of civil liberty(ies)
a. Right to a fair trial. b. Right to defend one's self in a court of law. c. Right to liberty. d. All of the above.
Which best describes the term popular sovereignty?
a. The idea that a government's authority is given to it by the people. The idea of popular sovereignty means that the power of a government comes from the people. Likewise, when this occurs, the people consent to be governed, and this gives the government legitimacy
John Locke believed the purpose of government is to
a. grant rights to only a few people.
John Locke believed that popular sovereignty was vested with
a. in the people
Individuals are chiefly concerned with protecting...
a. individual rights against the control of a government.
Lock said that all people seek to have the following natural rights:
a. life b. liberty c. property d. All of the above
John Locke believed life in a state of nature was
a. like living in a state of war.
The Continental Congress was most represented by...
a. only white men.
John Locke believed that...
a. people had the right to revolt. b. a government should be built upon the consent of "free and equal" citizens. d. A and B
Thomas Hobbes believed that a ruthless ruler might promote order because
a. people would be motivated by fear to obey laws.
The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was...
a. to declare independence to the world. b. to list all the issues and grievances the colonists had with England. c. to encourage other colonies to declare independence. d. both A and B.
When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he was inspired by...
b. John Locke c. George Mason d. Both B and C
The first official printer of the Declaration, as chosen by Congress was...
b. Mary Katherine Goddard
What amount of colonists favored open rebellion?
b. Nearly one-third of the colonists.
John Locke believed that popular sovereignty was vested...
b. in the people.
Many historians believed John Locke
b. influenced the Founders of the US Constitution very much.
John Stuart Mill, in his work On Liberty, sought to define the "nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual." This being the case, there was/were...
b. inherent and continuous antagonism between liberty and authority.
Government provides the parameters for everyday behavior for its citizens, protects them from ____________________, and helps to resolve disputes among them.
b. outside interference
Thomas Hobbes believed that
b. people were never justified to revolt since this would create anarchy.
John Locke theorized that the right to rule comes from...
b. the consent of the governed.
Some of the people who served on the committee to write the Declaration of Independence were...
c. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Roger Sherman.
Which best describes personal liberty?
c. The opportunity to do, say, or go nearly any place you like.
Which statement best expresses why the United States is not a "true" democracy?
c. Voters elect people to represent them and to create the laws.
One major reason government exists is to _____________________.
c. make rules
Governments provide the parameters for everyday behavior for citizens, protect them from ____________________, and help to resolve disputes among them.
c. outside interference
In recent years, government responsibilities have extended to include
c. the economy and public service.
In recent years, government responsibilities have extended to include:
c. the economy and public service.
For John Locke and other natural rights philosophers, the great problem was to find a way to protect each person's natural rights so that everyone could enjoy them and live at peace with one another. Locke believed that a social contract between citizens and their government was...
c. to last forever.
Which best describes an oligarchy?
d. A government in which a small group of people holds the authority.
Which BEST describes the "state of nature"?
d. A time before governments were created.
The Framers of the American Constitution were greatly influenced by..
d. John Locke
The Framers of the American Constitution were greatly influenced by...
d. John Locke Madison was considered the "Father of the Constitution", and was greatly influenced by the ideas of Locke.
The idea of popular sovereignty is...
d. The idea that the authority of the government rests with the people.
Individuals are chiefly concerned with protecting...
d. individual rights against the control of a government.
One major reason government exists is to _____________________.
d. make rules
