Locke & Hobbes
Define the "state of nature"
This is the condition where everyone is fighting and there are no laws to govern them; it's chaotic and dangerous.
What is a Constitution?
A Constitution is a "rulebook" for a country, describing how its government works and how laws are made.
Define "anarchy"
This is the condition similar to a state of nature, where no one is in control and there is no government overseeing laws in a society.
Was ancient Athens a direct or representative democracy?
Direct
True or False: The rule of law is a feature of all governments, from democracies to dictatorships.
False - the rule of law is a key feature of democracy, but is often disregarded in dictatorships and other types of government.
Define "social contract"
This is the idea that people agree to give up some some personal freedom in exchange for protection from a leader.
What kinds of personal liberties do democracies protect?
Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion)
What are the two types of autocracy? What is the difference between them?
Monarchy (which is hereditary) and dictatorship (when someone seizes power)
(1) Who could be part of the Assembly in ancient Greece?
(2) What did the Assembly do?
(3) How often did it meet?
All citizens could be part of it. The Assembly voted on all laws. It met several times a month.
What does "equal application of the law" mean?
The law applies the exact same way to everyone. No one - regardless of how much money or power they have - is treated differently. No one can be "above the law."
What kind of government do both Locke & Hobbes favor?
Monarchy
Sometimes, but they are rigged and unfair (making sure that the authoritarian leader stays in power)
"Theocracy" is a government that depends on religious laws and recognizes God as the highest power. Theocracies can co-exist with any kind of government: an autocracy, democracy, monarchy, or oligarchy.
Who could be a citizen in ancient Greece? Provide 4 requirements for citizenship.
Citizens were male, free (not slaves), over 18, whose parents had been born in Athens.
What does it mean that a law is "legitimate"?
A law is fair, reasonable, and can be easily followed.
Under what circumstances does John Locke think people can overthrow the monarch and choose a new one?
Explain "rights of the minority" in a democracy.
The majority decides the laws and chooses leaders, but they have to treat minorities (people with opinions different than the majority) with fairness. A democracy is led by the majority but there are laws in place to protect the rights and opinions of minorities.
What is the difference between a direct and a representative democracy? Why is representative democracy more popular?
In a direct democracy, people vote on every decision. In a representative democracy, they elect leaders who vote on decisions. Direct democracies can be very inefficient when you have many citizens -- it's practically impossible for them to vote on every law. Elected representatives can spend time learning about all the issues and voting on laws.
What was the judiciary (court system) like in ancient Greece?
There was a People's Court that voted on whether someone broke the law. Its juries ranged from 201 to 1501 people.
Citizens in a democracy have input into the laws of their country by choosing representatives that make the law. Is this an example of (a) legitimacy of laws, (b) equal application of the law, or (c) procedural fairness.
(A) legitimacy of the law
Name John Locke's 3 natural rights.
Life, liberty, and property.
Explain separation of power and why it's important in a democracy.
Democracies have power split between different parts, or "branches", of government -- the executive (president), legislative (Congress), and judicial (Supreme Court). Separating power makes sure no one person or group becomes all-powerful. There are "checks" and limits on each part of the government.
Give an example of a country that is a theocracy and a monarchy, and an example of a country that is a monarchy and democracy.
Saudi Arabia and England
What did the Council of 500 do? How were people chosen to be on the Council?
The Council of 500 was a sub- group within the Assembly. This group decided which laws would be voted on by the whole Assembly. Members were chosen by lottery and had one year terms (but could serve for two terms).
What does "access to justice" mean in a democracy?
All citizens are able to use and benefit from the courts, regardless of where they live (rural or urban), their gender, their language abilities, etc.