Historic foundations of Democratic concepts of government CIV 1.1 Historic foundations of Democratic concepts of government

GOVERNMENT Definition: This definition leads to two basic questions: The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society. This definition leads to two basic questions: How should we govern? What should government do?

PURPOSES OF GOVERNMENT Helping people cooperate Safety, Protection Providing Services Transportation, Education, Municipal Utilities Providing Rules Laws, Organization, Constitution Putting Ideals into Practice Protecting basic liberties, assuring people the chance to live peaceable and productive lives

FOUNDATIONS OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS European Enlightenment Thinkers (Philosophers) Rousseau, Locke, Hobbes, etc. Higher Law Rule of Law State of Nature Social Contract (Compact) Natural Rights Documents: Magna Carta (1215 A.D.) English Bill of Rights (1689) John Locke’s Two Treatises on Government

HIGHER LAW A law that has to be obeyed by those in authority in the government. 1. lists the basic rights of citizens 2. establishes the responsibility of the government to protect these basic rights 3. it places limits on how people in the government can use powers in three important areas: -citizens rights -how conflicts are resolved -how resources are distributed 4. establishes the principle of private domain 5. can only be changed with the consent of the citizens.

RULE OF LAW The rule of law is a fundamental component of democratic society all members of society -- both citizens and rulers -- are bound by a set of clearly defined and universally accepted laws. http://usinfo.state.gov/dhr/democracy/rule_of_law.html

RULE OF LAW Essential to the safekeeping of social order and civil liberties relationships with people and the state governed by a set of rules not governed by groups of individuals less likely to fall victim to authoritarian rule calls for individuals and government to submit to the law's supremacy http://www.constitutioncenter.org/explore/BasicGoverningPrinciples/RuleofLaw.shtml

STATE OF NATURE The "natural condition of mankind" is what would exist if there were: no government no civilization no laws no common power to restrain human nature. "war of all against all," --- human beings constantly seek to destroy each other in an incessant pursuit for power. Life in the state of nature is "nasty, brutish and short." http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/leviathan/terms/term_13.html

SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY Jean-Jacques Rousseau: 1762 “agreement among members of an organized society or between the governed and the government defining and limiting the rights and duties of each” Promoted by John Locke SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY

SOVEREIGNTY - Popular Sovereignty “the exclusive right to complete control over an area of governance, people, or oneself.” Popular Sovereignty = “the belief that the state is created by and therefore subject to the will of its people, who are the source of all political power” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereignty http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_sovereignty

NATURAL RIGHTS Inborn OR innate rights of humanity such as: Life Liberty Equality Property Pursuit of happiness cannot be denied by society

ORIGINS OF GOVERNMENT

LIMITED GOVERNMENT System in which government powers are carefully spelled out to prevent government from becoming too powerful.

MAGNA CARTA 1215 English Nobles (Leaders) forced King John to sign the “Great Charter” Limited the King’s power Protected certain rights of noblemen

ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS 1689 During the Glorious Revolution (Bloodless), English monarchs William of Orange and Mary signed Spelled out specific rights of Englishmen

Enlightenment Ideas on Government

TWO TREATISES OF GOVERNMENT John Locke Spelled out Government philosophy Natural Rights Social Contract theory

NATURAL RIGHTS ACCORDING TO LOCKE

Ideas on Self-Government

THE Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson Listed reasons for colonies separation from Great Britain Condenses Enlightenment thinking into one document Outlines the philosophy of the United States government Based on ‘consent of the governed’ If will of the people ignored, we have a right to change the government Purpose of government is to PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS