I Do Declare
According to the Declaration of Independence, what is the primary role of government?
To protect the fundamental rights of the people.
What is the main idea of Thomas Hobbes's political philosophy where people give up absolute personal freedom to escape a violent "State of Nature" in exchange for order and safety.
Social Contract (Social Contract Theory)
How does the system of government that divides power between the national government and state governments?
Federalism
When balancing government authority and personal freedom, what dangerous extreme outcome happens when a government has too little power?
Anarchy (or chaos)
What did the Federalists agree to add to the Constitution to appease Classical Liberals / Anti-Federalists.
A Bill of Rights: a list of rights and freedoms people have that the government can not step on or take away
According to the Declaration of Independence, where does the government get its power?
The consent of the governed (the agreement and permission of the people).
The idea that in legitimate authority in a free society comes from the people and should ultimately reflect the will of the people?
Popular sovereignty
What is the main power and ultimate check held by the Judicial Branch?
Declaring laws (and presidential actions) unconstitutional.
Who/what is the core belief/goal of Classical Liberalism?
Protecting the rights of the individual
What problem did the delegates of New Jersey (and other states) have with the Virginia Plan?
According to the Declaration of Independence, what right do the people have if their government is no longer protecting their rights?
To change or replace it with a government that better meets their needs.
What is the name of the system the Founders borrowed from the Ancient Rome where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf?
Republicanism (a representative democracy).
While the President serves as Commander-in-Chief, which major military power is kept strictly by Congress?
Declaring war.
What did the Federalists agree to add to the Constitution to appease Classical Liberals / Anti-Federalists.
A Bill of Rights: a list of rights and freedoms people have that the government can not step on or take away
How did the Great Compromise resolve the battle between big states and small states over congressional representation?
By creating a two-house Congress: the House of Representatives (based on population) and the Senate (equal representation with two seats per state).
What rule under the Articles of Confederation made changing the government nearly impossible?
To make major changes all 13 states had to agree unanimously.
What was the name of the political philosopher and economist who believed that free trade and individual control over economy was an important part of a free society.
Adam Smith
Which Enlightenment thinker gave James Madison the idea to divide the federal government into three distinct branches?
Baron de Montesquieu.
Who/what is the core belief/goal of Classical Republicanism?
What was the name of the agreement delegates at the Constitutional Convention came up with to settle the debate over whether or not enslaved populations should be counted for representation and taxation?
Through the Three-Fifths Compromise (counting three out of every five enslaved individuals).
What event was the final 'nail in the coffin' that proved that the Articles of Confederation were to weak to be effective?
The government was too weak to stop Shay's Rebellion, angry farmers/ex-militia, set fire to Jamestown and raided weapons arsenal.
According to Roman political thought, what key quality was required of citizens for a republic to succeed?
Civic virtue (the willingness to put the common good above personal self-interest).
What do we call powers set aside strictly for state governments, like running local schools and public safety?
Reserved powers.
According to John Locke, what three natural rights is every human born with?
Life, liberty, and property.
What compromise established the special system of state electors who cast official votes to pick the President?
The Electoral College