What ideas about civic life informed the founding generation? Lesson 2 What ideas about civic life informed the founding generation?

Rome Scholars believe the Roman Republic had provided its citizens with the most liberty under government that the world had ever known. The Roman Republic promoted the common good, that is, what was best for the entire society.

Classical Republicanism The best kind of society is one that promotes the common good instead of the interests of only one class of citizens. Citizens and their government are supposed to work cooperatively to achieve the common good rather than their own personal or selfish interests.

Small Uniform Communities Classical Republicans only believed that this type of government would only work in small communities This is necessary so people will know and care for each other and their common good. Diversity in the community would cause factions, or interest groups

Civic Virtue Classic republics demand civic virtue from all of their citizens Civic virtue is the classical republicanism in an individual Citizens should not worry about making money, leisure time, traveling; anything that might take their mind off of their government

In classical republicanism citizens were given limited rights In classical republicanism citizens were given limited rights. This was done to ensure that people participated in their government

Moral Education People were not naturally born to operate under classical republicanism Citizens had to be taught what was right and expected of them. People such as Cincinnatus were glorified

Locke State of Nature: A condition in which there is no government. When there is a not governing body things still operate in a natural way. A state of nature operates via human nature and the law of nature Human Nature: Law of Nature: “The State of nature has a law of nature to govern it which obliges everyone” Jefferson, “The Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”

Locke “A legitimate government cannot exist until the people have given their consent” “You have the right to defend them if other people threaten to take them away” Right: A justifiable claim to have or obtain something, or to act in a way that is justified on legal or moral grounds. “Natural rights are the essence of humanity. They are what make us human beings and what define our purpose in life.”

“Social Contract” Not all people are good Some will steal, murder, kidnap, rape, vandalize, etc The good people in nature need to come together to live under a government that will enforce the laws of man and nature Give and take contract - you can’t do anything you want in a government, but you do receive the security provided by a government Majority rules everything Minorities may never

Compare and Contrast Natural Rights Philosophy ______ Classical Republicanism