BECOMING AN ANALYICAL POLITICAL THINKER QUESTION EVERYTHING THE MEDIA REPORTS IF IT’S ON THE NET, IT CAN BE FALSE  HAVE A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF LOCKE ABOVE ALL: BE WELL-INFORMED IN THE OPPOSING VIEW

Philosophical & Historical Foundations of the American Political System 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

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

LOCKE’S NATURAL RIGHTS 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?

Question: What is the difference between a RIGHT and a PRIVILEGE?                                                     Question: 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

             A privilege is an entitlement to immunity or certain perks granted by the state or another authority to a restricted group, either by birth or on a conditional basis. ... By contrast, a right is an inherent, irrevocable entitlement held by all citizens or all human beings from the moment of birth.

SOCIAL CONTRACT 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?

MAYFLOWER COMPACT 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?

HOW DOES GOVERNMENT SECURE NATURAL RIGHTS? 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”?

“Give all power to the many, they will oppress the few “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 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)

A “constitution "does not mean good government: 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)

Founders had specific ideas: 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 Tyranny of the Majority: Madison’s ideas in Federalist #51

STUDY TIPS At the end of each chapter is a list of numbered “review the chapter” topics that correspond with the AP requirements and a list of terms. You must be able to be thoroughly conversant in these; simply answering the “Test Yourself” questions is not enough The students who passed the AP exam last year, knew these well; MANY OTHERS STRUGGLED Get in the habit of using these tools and once you get to my exam (which is an AP practice exam) and the actual AP exam, you will do well.