Natural Rights
What are natural rights, and according to the Founders, where do they come from?
Natural rights are rights that human beings possess simply because they are human. They come from nature and ultimately from God, rather than being gifts from government.
What is self-government?
Self-government is the ability of a people to govern themselves through responsible participation in political life.
Which document declared that the American colonies were independent from Great Britain and argued that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed?
The Declaration of Independence
What is public policy?
Public policy consists of the actions, decisions, and laws adopted by government to address public issues.
If natural rights come from God or nature rather than government, why does government have any authority over them?
Government does not create natural rights. Its legitimate purpose is to protect those rights, and its authority comes from the consent of the governed. Therefore, government power is limited by the rights it exists to protect.
What does "unalienable" mean when the Declaration of Independence describes rights as unalienable?
It means that these rights cannot legitimately be taken away or surrendered. They belong to people by nature.
What is virtue, and why did the Founders believe it was important for a free society?
Virtue is the development of good moral character and habits, such as self-control, responsibility, courage, and justice. The Founders believed freedom could survive only if citizens were capable of governing themselves responsibly.
Which document established a written agreement among the Pilgrims to create a government for their community?
The Mayflower Compact
What is taxation, and why does government use it?
Taxation is the government's collection of money from individuals and businesses. It allows government to fund public functions and services.
How can the Founders believe that people are both equal and unequal?
People are equal in their natural rights and human dignity, but unequal in their talents, abilities, intelligence, wealth, and circumstances.
What is the state of nature, and how does it lead to the idea of a social contract?
The state of nature is a condition in which people live without an established government. Because individuals need security and a means of protecting their rights, they agree to establish government through a social contract.
Why did the Founders believe education was necessary for self-government?
Citizens need knowledge, reasoning skills, moral judgment, and an understanding of government to make responsible decisions and participate effectively in a free society.
Which Founding Father wrote the Farewell Address, warning Americans about the dangers of political parties and excessive factionalism?
George Washington
What is the difference between regulation and taxation?
Taxation raises revenue by requiring people or businesses to pay money to the government. Regulation establishes rules that govern behavior or economic activity.
What is the right to revolution, and under what circumstances can it be justified?
The right to revolution is the right of a people to alter or abolish a government that consistently violates their fundamental rights. It is not intended to justify rebellion over every disagreement with government; it becomes justified when government becomes destructive of the rights it was created to protect.
What is the relationship between natural rights, consent of the governed, and limited government?
People possess natural rights before government exists. Government receives its legitimate authority through the consent of the governed and is created to protect those rights. Therefore, government must be limited so that it does not violate the rights it was created to protect.
Why did the Founders believe religion could contribute to freedom and self-government?
Religion could help promote morality, virtue, self-restraint, and responsibility, all of which were considered necessary for citizens to govern themselves.
Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in which he discussed the relationship between government and religion. What famous phrase from this letter is commonly associated with the separation of government and religion?
"A wall of separation between Church & State."
Why did the Founders consider property rights important to liberty?
Property gives individuals security, independence, and an incentive to work, save, invest, and participate in commerce. Protecting property limits the government's ability to arbitrarily take what individuals possess.
What is a commercial republic, and why did the Founders believe commerce and property were important to a free society?
A commercial republic is a republic in which private property, commerce, trade, and economic activity play important roles. The Founders believed these institutions promoted independence, self-reliance, economic opportunity, social mobility, and a strong middle class, which helped support political freedom.
The Declaration of Independence says that "all men are created equal." According to the Founders' understanding, does this mean that everyone is equal in ability, intelligence, wealth, or talent? Explain what equality means in this context.
No. The Founders did not mean that everyone is equal in ability, intelligence, wealth, or talent. They meant that people are equal in their possession of natural rights and in their fundamental human dignity. People may differ greatly in talents, abilities, and circumstances while remaining equal in their natural rights.
Why is freedom of speech especially important in a system of self-government?
Self-government requires citizens to discuss political questions, criticize government, exchange ideas, debate public policy, and make informed decisions. Without freedom of speech, citizens cannot effectively participate in governing themselves.
George Washington's Letter to the Hebrew Congregation argued that the United States should not treat citizens differently because of their religious beliefs. What principle does this illustrate?
Religious liberty and the free exercise of religion. Government should protect citizens' ability to practice their faith without religious discrimination.
The Founders were concerned about factionalism and partisanship. What is the difference between the two, and why can either become dangerous to a republic?
A faction is a group of citizens united by a common interest or passion that may conflict with the rights of others or the common good. Partisanship is strong loyalty to a political party or political side. Both can become dangerous when political loyalty becomes more important than principle, justice, the Constitution, or the common good, potentially contributing to political division, tyranny, or even civil conflict.
George Washington warned against excessive political parties in his Farewell Address. Why might partisanship threaten self-government?
George Washington warned against excessive political parties in his Farewell Address. Why might partisanship threaten self-government?