C963 - Unit 2 with 100% correct answers(verified for accuracy)

Major contributors to social contract theory Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacque Rousseau, Montesquieu Thomas Hobbes view of society and what social contract theory should protect World is nasty; right to life 0:07 / 0:54 6 Ways to Show Appreciation for Your Child's Teacher John Locke view of society and what social contract theory should protect World is decent and rational; right to life, liberty, and property Jean-Jacque Rousseau view of society and what social contract theory should protect World starts out good but declines with population increase; right to liberty State of nature A condition in which no governments or laws existed at all Social contract theory A voluntary agreement between the government and the governed Natural rights The idea that all people have rights to life, liberty, and property Consensual political rule Without consent, rule would be illegitimate Areas of the Constitution influenced by the Enlightenment Rousseau - property Montesquieu - separation of powers Areas of the Bill of Rights influenced by the Enlightenment Locke - right to bear arms Montesquieu - due process Areas of the Declaration of Independence influenced by the Enlightenment Locke - liberty and property Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson Who wrote the Constitution? Madison, Washinton, and Hamilton The primary goals of the Articles of Confederation To structure the government by uniting states with a weak central government The structure of government under the Articles of Confederation A unicameral congress to limit the power of the national government, no executive or judicial branch The powers of government under the Articles of Confederation Very limited: exchange ambassadors, make treaties with foreign governments, coin currency and borrow money, regulate trade with Natives, declare war, settle disputes between states Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Couldn't enforce laws, no power to tax, no national army, no president, couldn't control foreign trade, each state only had one vote, couldn't be changed without a unanimous vote Characteristics of the New Jersey Plan Unicameral, state based, national government provides defense but doesn't override state authority Characteristics of the Virginia Plan Bicameral, population based, national government can legislate for states and veto state law Major compromises during the Constitutional Convention Senate would have equal number of reps from each state, House would have reps based on population, combined ideas from both Virginia and New Jersey Plans Checks and Balances Allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches. To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Separation of Powers Division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. To prevent the abuse of power. Federalist's views on the scope and powers of the government Supported the new Constitution; believed that strong government was good for defense and economic growth Anti-Federalist's views on the scope and powers of the government Opposed the new Constitution; believed state legislatures could better protect their freedoms Argument points for ratifying the Constitution Taxation, the federal judicial system, loss of traditional rights Purpose and main arguments made in Federalist #51 To assure readers that the central government wouldn't become too powerful, there's checks and balances (James Madison) Purpose and main arguments made in Federalist #10 To assure readers that they don't need to worry about special interests or powerful political parties taking hold because the republic is too big to allow for it (James Madison) Powers held by the executive branch Head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, chief diplomat, negotiate treaties Powers held by the judicial branch Courts, judicial review (overturn laws passed by Congress or the president) Powers held by the legislative branch Make laws, deal with international trade between states, declare war, approve treaties by 2/3 vote, fail-safe for the electoral college The purpose of checks and balances Federalism A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments. Has a written national constitution, national courts Advantages of Federalism More opportunity for participation, regional autonomy, power is divided, innovative solutions