Study Notes - C963

Study Notes - C963 What is the definition of Government ○ Describes the means by which society organizes itself and allocates authority, accomplish goals and provides benefits that the society as a whole needs. What do government benefits provided depend on ○ All government benefits depend on the type of government. What is the definition of Politics ○ Process of gaining and exercising control within a government ○ Purpose of setting and achieving particular goals, related to the division of resources. When and where did the idea that people should govern themselves developed ○ 18th century, in North America and France. What is an Oligarchy ○ Only the ruling elite or certain members of a political party can participate in government. What are private goods ○ Food, clothing and housing provided by private businesses, in exchange for profit. What are public goods ○ Goods and services available to all without charge. What are toll goods ○ Goods available to many, but only few can afford it. What are common goods ○ Free of charge, but of limited supply. ○ Example, fish or clean drinking water. ○ Government protects common goods. What is Civic Engagement ○ Participation that connects citizens to politics. What are some forms of Civic Engagement ○ Reading ○ Discussing politics ○ Attending political debates ○ Donating money to political campaigns ○ Handing out flyers for candidates ○ Voting ○ Joining protests ○ Contacting elected representatives What is the form of government of the US ○ Republic, or Representative Democracy ○ Citizens do not govern directly. ○ Representatives pass laws on behalf of people. What is a democracy ○ Political power rests in the hands of the people What are some examples of Direct Democracy ○ A referendum, or proposed law, that is voted for on the ballot, rather than leaving it up to representatives. What is a monarchy ○ Only one ruler holds power. What is the Enlightenment ○ One of the greatest influences of American government ○ Took place in Europe from ○ Transitioned from religious absolutism to human individuality and liberty. ○ Gives government by consent. What are natural rights ○ God given rights to life, liberty and property. What are the Two Treatises of Government ○ John Locke rejects the idea of kings ○ Defines what it means to be human ○ Specified proper structure in civil society What is due process ○ Government's obligation to treat citizens fairly. What is the social contract ○ Obligations we are expected to bear for the roles we play in the social order. ○ Is the product of human desire and effort. What is the state of nature ○ Acknowledged fiction ○ Assume it does exist to make it easy to understand. ○ Condition in which all of us live individually and solitarily prior to the existence of society. What did John Locke view as the most important protections under the social contract ○ Life, Liberty, and Property. ○ He viewed them as natural rights. ○ He believed that it was the government's job to protect them. How much authority did John Locke believe society should have over citizens in the social contract ○ Limited Authority What was John Locke's belief about the state of nature ○ He believed the state of nature was peaceful and consisted of rational human beings. ○ He also believed the state of nature was inconvenient. What are examples of challenges to the social contract ○ Civil War ○ Labor Movement ○ Civil Rights Movement ○ Women's Suffrage ○ Women's Liberation How is society formed ○ Society is not natural or God-given. ○ Society is the product of human intention for the purpose of a collective interest. What is the definition of society ○ Society is defined by a social contract, which is based on an understanding of that it means to be human and of what human rights we poses. What is the optimal form of government ○ Representative Democracy