Foundation of American Government Power, Democracy, Locke, Hobbes, and Monty Python

Getting Started and Current Events Please pass up your signed contract. Does anybody have any political current events they’d like to discuss for a few minutes? After all, there are plenty of government issues going on…

Rule of Law The government and its officials and agents are accountable under the law. The laws are clear, publicized, stable and fair, and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property. The process by which the laws are enacted, administered and enforced is accessible, fair and efficient. Access to justice is provided by competent, independent, and ethical adjudicators, attorneys or representatives and judicial officers who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources, and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.

Two Essential Questions Who governs? Those who govern will affect us. To what ends? How will government affect our lives?

What is Political Power? Power: the ability of one person to cause another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions Most power derives from psychological and social factors. Friendship, family, loyalty, prestige. For example, a friend can convince you to do something that a stranger couldn’t (Friendship). A police officer might persuade you to do something a random dude on the street could not (Prestige). Authority: the right to use power Legitimacy: what makes a law or constitution a source of right

Watch the following video, and prepare to answer these questions: Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail (One of the Greatest Films of All Time) Watch the following video, and prepare to answer these questions: Where King Arthur derives his power. Does Arthur have authority? Does he have legitimacy? Where Dennis the Annoying Peasant believes that power should be derived from? Does either’s view of where power derives itself seem to fit in with what you would think in the United States?

You Don’t Vote For Kings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvKIWjnEPNY

Analysis Get out a piece of paper and answer the questions from before. Where does King Arthur derive his power? Does Arthur have authority? Does he have legitimacy? Where does Dennis the Annoying Peasant believe that power should be derived from? Does either’s view of where power derives itself seem to fit in with what you would think in the United States?

DEFINE DEMOCRACY Webster’s Definition of Democracy: 1 2 3 4 5 a: government by the people; especially: rule of the majority b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections 2 a political unit that has a democratic government 3 capitalized: the principles and policies of the Democratic party in the United States <from emancipation Republicanism to New Deal Democracy— C. M. Roberts> 4 : the common people especially when constituting the source of political authority 5 : the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges

That was gross Why don’t you define democracy? On a piece of paper, write down how you’d define democracy. Try to limit your definition to 2-3 sentences. Go into detail; simple answers get simple rewards. Once you have written your response, turn to your neighbor and share your definitions. Rewrite your definition if you think your neighbor had something to contribute. Do this again with another neighbor. When you everybody has finally completed their definitions, we’ll try to come up with one definition as a class.

Kinds of Democracy Direct democracy: A form of democracy in which most, or all, of the citizenry participate directly. Representative democracy: A government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote. Competition is key here. If citizens aren’t at least allowed to have a choice between multiple candidates, it won’t work out.

Trustee vs Delegate View Scenario: You are a Congressperson. In your district, most people are opposed to a newly proposed bill. You believe, however, that this bill is in the best interest of the country. What do you do? Trustee view of Representative Democracy: “I should use my best judgment and do what’s best for my district, even if the majority of my constituents disagree with me. So I’m going to vote for the bill.” Delegate view of Representative Democracy: “My job is to represent the majority will of my district and vote how they would, regardless of my own opinions! That means if my constituents don’t like this bill, I must vote against it.”

Thomas Hobbes (5 April 1588 – 4 December 1679) His 1651 book Leviathan established the foundation for most of Western political philosophy from the perspective of social contract theory. Though a champion of the “absolute sovereign”, Hobbes also believed in the natural equality of all men.

John Locke (29 August 1632 – 28 October 1704) Recognized as the “Father of Classical Liberalism.” His contributions to classical republicanism and liberal theory are reflected in the United States Declaration of Independence.

Small Group Discussion Discuss these questions in groups of five. (You may move your desks if you wish.) What is the “state of nature?” What is Social Contract Theory? What does Hobbes seem to think about man’s “state of nature?” What does Locke seem to thing about man’s “state of nature?” How does Locke define “property?” Why is that definition important to his argument? How is Social Contract Theory essential to our form of government? How does it relate to the Rule of Law?

Large Group Discussion Get your chairs back in order, please. Let’s answer those small group questions quickly to see what other people said. What is the “state of nature?” What is Social Contract Theory? What does Hobbes seem to think about man’s “state of nature?” What does Locke seem to thing about man’s “state of nature?” How does Locke define “property?” Why is that definition important to his argument? How is Social Contract Theory essential to our form of government? How does it relate to the Rule of Law? Who is right about the state of nature of man? Locke? Hobbes? Neither or both? Why? Provide evidence! Rethink Arthur – Could Arthur’s government technically be legitimate under social contract theory? What would Hobbes say? How about Locke?

Cool Down and Reflection Written Reflection: When do you think we’ll need to consider Locke and Hobbes’ style philosophy? What kind of policy issues might require you consider Hobbes or Locke? Mention at least three, and explain what Hobbes and Locke would think. Just think about it...(don’t write) Try to remember who you ended up leaning towards on “human nature.” It’ll be interesting to reflect on that along with the positions you take later on in the course.