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