1.QUESTION EVERYTHING THE MEDIA REPORTS 2.IF IT’S ON THE NET, IT CAN BE FALSE 2.IF IT’S ON THE NET, IT CAN BE FALSE 3.HAVE A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF LOCKE 4.ABOVE ALL: BE WELL-INFORMED IN THE OPPOSING VIEW

  John Locke was probably the most important influence on the Founding Fathers and their political philosophy  State of Nature: a condition in which there is no government  Consent of the governed  Men create governments and can abolish them  Governmental organization  Inalienable rights Philosophical & Historical Foundations of the American Political System

  Are all people selfish or do they care about others?  Should a government regulate selfishness?  How should a government be organized?  What is the purpose of a government? Answer these questions:

  LIFE: live freely with no threats to one’s security  LIBERTY: free from the domination of others  PROPERTY: “pursuit of happiness”, or gain economic goods necessary for survival and happiness  People are reasonable but self-interested  How do you balance these two? LOCKE’S NATURAL RIGHTS

  What is the difference between a RIGHT and a PRIVILEGE?  Please list 3 things you consider a RIGHT and 3 things you consider a PRIVILEGE and be prepared to defend your choices Question:

  Locke’s idea that human rights are insecure in a “state of nature” and that each individual could and should agree to live under a government of their choosing and to give this government the power to make and enforce laws. In this way, individuals give up some of their absolute rights to do and say anything they want for the security of knowing that their basic rights to life, liberty, and property are protected.  WHAT DO YOU THINK? SOCIAL CONTRACT

  What was it?  Why was it created?  How did it illustrate the connection between social contracts and the idea that government should be based on the consent of the governed? MAYFLOWER COMPACT

  Under what circumstances should a government limit individual rights?  What is “equal protection”? “Implicit consent”?  What is LEGAL vs. ORGANIZATIONAL protection?  What is the principle of “private domain”? HOW DOES GOVERNMENT SECURE NATURAL RIGHTS?

  How is a Republic a solution to Hamilton’s dilemma?  Consider these elements of a Republican Government:  Promotes the public good  Political authority is held by all who are considered citizens; no Monarchy or hereditary rule  Representative government  DO THESE TRAITS SOLVE HIS PROBLEM? HOW? (at this time, a Democracy based its ultimate authority on the will of the majority) “Give all power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all power to the few, they will oppress the many.” Alexander Hamilton, 1787

  A constitution is a set of customs, traditions, rules, and laws that sets forth the basic way a government is organized and operated.  Our Constitution is remarkable in that it establishes limits on our government  Our Constitution enumerates our rights as citizens and allows for flexibility (amendments) A “constitution "does not mean good government:

  Civic Virtue: setting aside personal concerns for public good  Moral Education: cultivates civic virtue  Factions: special interest groups (Federalist No. 10)  Representative Democracy: elected representatives vote for the people  Separation of Powers : Madison (Federalist #51)  Checks and Balances: Montesquieu/Madison  Federalism: power divided between the Federal and State Governments Founders had specific ideas: