AP Government: Chapter 1

Thomas Hobbes

-Argues that when humans live in a state of nature rather than in a governed state, the result is anarchy and war. His remedy is for people to give up some of their rights, as long as others did so as well, and agree to live in peace. -Wrote the Leviathan

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

-Influenced by Locke -Believed in social contract -Envisioned popular sovereignty and a government of officials to carry out the laws.

Baron De Montesquieu

-Wanted both the sovereign and administrative aspects of governmental power. -He saw a republican form of government as one having defined and limited power while granting political liberty to citizens. -Wanted separation of powers in the administrative government (executive, legislative, and judicial branches).

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, delegates from larger states argued that each state's representation in the legislature should be proportional to its population. Smaller states argued that each state should have equal representation, regardless of population. The disagreement over representation threatened to derail the ratification of the United States Constitution. Which statement accurately describes the compromise that led to both sides reaching agreement?

A bicameral legislature with an upper house representing each state equally and a lower house with representation proportional to each state's population

Faction

A group with a distinct political interest

Which of the following best characterizes the general argument made in Brutus 1?

A large republic is dangerous to personal liberty and undermines the states.

Which of the following is an accurate summary of James Madison's argument in The Federalist 10?

A large republic presents more opportunities for groups to participate, compete, and limit each other.

In The Federalist 10, which of the following did James Madison argue would best control the negative effects of factions?

A larger federal republic

Elite Democracy

A political system in which a small group of people, particularly ones that are wealthy, have power within the society.

Pluralist Democracy

A political system where there is more than one center of power

Participatory Democracy

A system of government in which citizens provide the power to make political decisions.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Treaty of Paris

Agreement signed by British and American leaders that stated the United States of America was a free and independent country.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist essay which argued against a strong central government based on the belief that it would not be able to meet the needs of all US citizens.

Federalist No. 10

An essay in which James Madison, a Federalist, argues that the dangers of faction can be minimized by a large republic and republican government.

John Locke

British philosopher that argued that natural law is the law of God and that this law is acknowledged through human sense and reason. Believed that under natural law people were born free and equal.

Natural law

God's or nature's law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law

As a compromise, the framers agreed on a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives elected by popular vote within states and the Senate selected by state legislatures. The direct election method conforms most to which of the following democratic ideals?

Government should be based on the consent of the governed.

Article I, Section 9 of the United States Constitution lists several powers that are denied to the federal government, such as granting titles of nobility and passing ex post facto laws. This best demonstrates which of the following ideals of democracy?

Limited Government

The Declaration of Independence cites specific reasons for separating from British rule, including the British imposing taxes and maintaining a standing army without consent. Which principles or ideas would these grievances be most related to?

Natural Rights such as life, liberty, and property

Limited Government

One kept under control by law, checks and balances, and seperation of power.

Republicanism

People vote for leaders for which those leaders represent the ideas of the people that voted for him/her.

Declaration of Independence

Signed in 1776 by US revolutionaries; it declared the United States as a free state.

Social Contract

The agreement of free and equal people to abandon certain natural rights in order to find secure protections for society and to find freedom in a single body politic committed to the general good.

In the 1950s Southern states attempted to prevent integration of their public schools. In return, the National Guard was sent to force states to implement federal regulations. This scenario illustrates which of the following about the relationship between the state and national governments?

The debate over the role of the central government and state powers is ongoing.

Natural Rights

The idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

In order to appease both Federalists and Anti-Federalists, it was agreed at the Constitutional Convention that a group of delegates would be charged with selecting the president. This would ensure that

The most capable individuals would decide which candidate would be president

Popular Sovereignty

The people have the ultimate ruling authority

Anti-Federalists

Those who opposed the consolidation of the states under a federal government.

Federalists

those who supported the proposed constitutional structure, a strong federal government, and full ratification.