Name that Political Philosopher!

AGENDA September 26/27, 2013 Today’s topics  Great Political Philosophers  Basic Principles of the US Constitution  Unit 1 Test Review Administrative  Return: Chap. 3 Glossary Quiz  Unit 1 test: Oct. 1 (Cardinal) / Oct. 2 (Gold) Homework  Study for Unit 1 test  After school study session: Mon., Sept. 30 in Room 113

Learning Goals Unit 1 Guide Understand the purpose and theories of government Describe the roots and development of U.S. political thought, from Greek and Roman origins through the drafting of the U.S. Constitution Understand the basic principles of the U.S. Constitution Explain the principles of Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Judicial Review, and Federalism

Great Political Philosophers

The Greeks / Aristotle Big idea: Citizens have the right to control their government = DEMOCRACY Also: Identified the three basic functions of government 1.Legislative 2.Executive 3.Judicial

Roman Republic / Cicero Big ideas: 1.Representative Democracy 2.Public Good / Common Good 3.Classical Republicanism  The ideals and practices that emphasized civic participation and the responsibility of citizens for the well- being of their country. Acts by citizens that placed the public good above private interest were especially prized. Also: Roman Senate… U.S. Senate…

Thomas Hobbes Big idea: Social Contract Theory  State of nature = “war of every man against every man” which means life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”  People establish governments for personal/mutual protection

John Locke Big ideas: 1.Natural Rights (Life, Liberty & Property) 2.Popular Sovereignty  Government’s power ultimately comes from the people 3.Social Contract Theory  People consent to government to protect their natural rights (inalienable rights)  If government fails to protect people’s rights, they have a right to change the government

Baron de Montesquieu Big idea: Separation of powers  Prevents one branch from acquiring too much power by separating the three basic functions of government 1.Legislative 2.Executive 3.Judicial  Protects individuals’ freedom

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE US CONSTITUTION

Popular Sovereignty The people are the ultimate source for all governmental power  The government rules through leaders elected by the people to represent the people.  The Preamble notes that the Constitution is created by “We the People.”

Limited Government Government may only do those things the people have given it the power to do.  Government must obey the law.  Much of the Constitution spells out limits on the power of the government.

Separation of Powers Checkpoint: How does the separation of powers keep government limited?  The Constitution divides power among the legislative, executive and judicial branches.  Separation of powers keeps a strong central government from being too powerful.

Checks and Balances Each branch of the federal government can check the power of the other two. The use of checks is fairly rare.  Compromise is more common.  Conflicts more likely when Congress and the presidency are controlled by different parties.

Judicial Review The Courts can decide if a government action is constitutional.  The power of judicial review is held by all federal courts and most state courts.  Judicial review was established as a necessary power of the courts by the Supreme Court in the case Marbury v. Madison.

Federalism A compromise between an all-powerful central government and independent state governments.  The Framers felt that too much governmental power threatened liberty.  Federalism helps prevent that power from being abused by dividing governmental power.

Federalism

Test Review Study / Review: Unit 1 Guide  Glossary terms  Readings  Learning Goals & Objectives Preamble, Constitutional citations, etc. Handouts, class discussions & notes Format: Multiple choice (35-45 questions/scantron) Short answer Completion (charts / fill in) Unit 1 Test = approx points

Homework Before you leave  Pick up your belongings & any trash  Straighten desks Homework due next class  Study for Unit 1 test  After school study session: Mon., Sept. 30 in Room 113