Philosophically Correct: A Study Guide

Philosophically Correct study guide Enlightenment A time period in Europe lasting from 1715-1789 Philosophers European thinkers that began questioning traditional ideas about political power and government structure Scientific Revolution A period of thinking and discoveries that started in 1543 and ended in 1688 Renaissance A time from 1300-1600 when new ideas about almost everything were starting to take shape State of Nature where every day is survival of the fittest Social contract where people agree to give up some of their freedoms for protection and order and choose a person to be their leader Natural Rights equality, life, liberty, property, and others; humans have these simply because they are human Unalienable Rights that can't be taken away or denied by a leader or the government Consent of the Governed People must continue to agree to follow their leader Aristocratic republic one part of the people— usually those considered better than the rest for some reason like having more money or being born into the "right" family—govern everyone else Demcratic Republic the people choose their representatives through election Popular sovereignty the people themselves are the source of all political power Limited government where there are rules and laws to ensure that those in charge cannot take advantage of those who are not in charge Rule of Law Another idea in Montesquieu's writings that the government is bound to follow the laws just like everyone else Separation of Powers ensures that no branch has enough power to abuse the rights of the people Checks and Balances where each branch can stop ("check") the other branches from overstepping their power (and thus maintain government "balance") Direct democracy where all citizens vote on all decisions that affect the society Majority rule What most people want Minority rights rights such as equality, liberty, and property that all people have no matter who is in charge "Is it better to be loved or feared?" Machiavelli; feared "No man has any natural authority over his fellow men." Rousseau "The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property" Locke "There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of law and in the name of justice" Montesquieu "Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself." Locke "It is not wisdom but Authority that makes a law." Hobbes "To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them." Montesquieu "Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains" Rousseau "Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it . . . in which Case it shall not be a Law." Belongs to Montesquieu Idea of Checks and Balances 1/2 "All... will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail . . . the minority possess their equal rights." Belongs to Rousseau Idea of majority rule/minority rights "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men..." Belongs to Hobbes Idea of Social contract ". . . this Constitution, is really in its formation a government of the people; that is to say, a government in which all power is derived from, and at stated period reverts to them -- and that, in its operation, it is purely, a government of Laws made & executed by the fair substitutes of the people alone." Belongs to Montesquieu Idea of popular sovereignty The President should be able to make any laws that he or she thinks is a good idea. Agree: Machiavelli & Hobbes Disagree: Montesquieu & Locke The people should have the right to say whatever they want, whenever they want. Agree: Locke Disagree: Machiavelli & Hobbes People don't need to have a say in who governs them. Agree: Machiavelli Disagree: Locke & Hobbes Some people are better than others. Agree: Machiavelli & Hobbes Disagree: Rousseau & Locke If I don't like what you're doing, it's my right to stop you. Agree: Locke & Montesquieu Disagree: Machiavelli & Hobbes The leader's religion should be the religion of the nation. Agree: Machiavelli & Hobbes Disagree: Locke Whatever the majority decides should be enforced on everyone. Agree: Rousseau Disagree: Montesquieu If the leader is abusing his or her power, the people should just deal with it. Agree: Hobbes & Machiavelli Disagree: Locke and Montesquieu According to the Declaration of Independence, why are govern- To secure unalienable rights. This reflects under the idea of natural ments created? Which idea does this reflect? rights;idea of Locke The Declaration says that power comes "from the consent of the governed". What does this mean? the government can only be powerful if the people agree to be governed since the people give their power to the government. According to the Declaration, when do people have a right to revolution? Why do they have this right? When the government becomes destructive, despotic, or tyrannical. The people have the right to revolt against a government that is detrimental to a society rather than helpful. 2/2