1 “The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.” - James Madison

2 Aristotle and the Greeks articulated the idea of natural law. Society should be governed by ethical principles that are part of nature and can be understood through reason. Government before had been by “divine right,” but these philosophical changes put humans on the road toward self government.

3 Social Contract Theory People are source of power People give consent to government to rule Government provides protection of natural rights

John Locke and Thomas Hobbes (Social Contract Theory)  Humans are reasonable creatures who can use reason t to improve their own social existence  Humans are self-interested  Political society exists to allow for prosperity Alexis de Toqueville Americans often act spontaneously and on behalf of the disinterested. Honor principle “ America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” ~ Alexis de Toqueville Locke’s Key Principles

“The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which treats everyone equally…Being equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, or possessions.” -John Locke

“The old traditions are apt to lead men into mistakes, as this idea of fatherly power’s probably has done, which seems so eager to place the power of parents over their children wholly in the father, as if the mother has no share in it. Whereas if we consult reason or the Bible, we shall find she has an equal title.” -John Locke

“Whensoever the government shall put into the hands of any other an absolute power over the lives, liberty, and estates of the people, by this breach of trust they forfeit the power of the people…who have a right to resume their original liberty, and by the establishment of the new government provide for their own safety and security.” -John Locke

“The only valid government is one based on the consent of the governed.” - Locke Rulers and citizens enter into an agreement, or a social contract Government by the people, masses

“A state also of equality, wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having more than another… - John Locke, of Civil Government “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal.” - Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence

10 At the time of the founding of our nation several forms of governments existed… Monarchy Oligarchy Aristocracy All are based on elite rule and give few rights to the people who live under them. The colonists did not want to live under the systems they had suffered under in the Old World so they established a new system: democracy.

1.Majoritarian Theory = leaders are forced to follow the wishes of the people because majority rules 3. Elite Theory = groups or people who possess the most more power (money or influence) dominate gov’t 4. Bureaucratic Theory = appointed officials dominate the gov’t through unelected jobs 2. Pluralist Theory = groups compete and compromise with each other to get the gov’t to do what they want

What theory is supported by the fact that… 1. The US holds mainly elections where the person who receives the most votes wins. 2. Most US representatives are upper class people. 3. The President appoints hundreds of people for gov’t jobs or judgeships, all have special powers. 4. Interest groups spend millions of dollars toward campaigns of favored candidates. 5. Gov’t can call for referendums, or votes by the people to pass or strike down potential laws. 6. The candidate who raises the most money for an election almost always wins.

13 Direct democracy Indirect democracy Republic

14 A system in which all come together periodically to discuss policy and abide by majority rule. New England town meeting

15 A system of government that allows citizens to vote for representatives who will work on their behalf.

16 A government rooted in the consent of the governed.

17 private ownership of property free market economy (laissez-faire) vs. mercantile systems

18 Socialism Communism Totalitarianism

20 1. popular consent 2. popular sovereignty 3. majority rule 4. individualism 5. equality 6. personal liberty 7. civil society

21 Population of the United States: July 1, 1900 there were 76,094,000 Today there are over 318,497,838 One birth every seconds One death every seconds One international migrant (net) every seconds One Federal U.S. citizen (net) returning every seconds Net gain of one person every seconds Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division

22

23 Not only are we bigger we are also more diverse. In colonial times most Americans were Anglo- Saxon. In 2010, the U.S. population was made up of… Whites 63.4% African Americans 12.6% Hispanics 16.4% Asian 4.8%

24

25

26

27 The growth of the population age 65 and older will affect every aspect of our society, presenting challenges as well as opportunities to policymakers, families, businesses, and health care providers. In 2011, the “baby boom” generation will begin to turn 65, and by 2030, it is projected that one in five people will be age 65 or older.

28

29 Conservativism – thought to believe that a government is best that governs least and that big government can only infringe on individual, personal, and economic rights.

30 Liberalism – thought to favor government involvement in the economy and the provision of social services and to take an activist role in protecting women, the elderly, minorities, and the environment.

31 Libertarianism – thought to favor a free market economy and no governmental interference in personal liberties.

32

33 High Expectations A Missing Appreciation of the Good Mistrust of Politicians Voter Apathy Redefining Our Expectations

34 Americans expect more and more from their government. Many Americans do not know what government actually does for them. Regulation of airwaves for television and radio Clean water FDA inspections Air traffic control “Who gets what when and how.” Laswell

Thomas Jefferson

36

37

Described a national government with a Congress empowered to make peace, coin money, appoint army officers, control the post, and negotiate with Native American tribes.

In 1780, Massachusetts adopted a constitution that appeared to favor the wealthy. Property-holding requirements for voting and office holding excluded the lower and middle classes. State then enacted law requiring payments of all debts in cash. Outraged, former Revolutionary War captain Daniel Shays gathered 1,500 armed men and marched on the state court to prevent the loss of their farms.

"What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is the natural manure.“ -- Thomas Jefferson in response to the rebellion

Congress authorized the Secretary of War to call up a national militia to respond and appropriated $530,000 for the purpose. Every state except Virginia refused. Finally, a private army put down Shays's Rebellion. This failure of Congress to protect the citizens and property of Americans was a glaring example of the weakness of the Articles.

On February 21, 1787, Congress called for a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia “for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.” In May, the convention met and the Virginia delegation suggested they throw out the Articles and devise a new system of government! This act could be considered treason, so they adopted a pledge of secrecy.

Delegates- 74 appointed, 55 attended Absent-Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Patrick Henry Convention president- George Washington Critical question- How could the government be strong enough to preserve order but not threaten liberty?