1. Politics

3. Individualist
Interventionist
Self development is the purpose of life
Human nature is prone to evil, but is resourceful
Humans need to fend for themselves
People should not trust big government
Crime prevention – harsh punishments
Helping others is the purpose of life
Humans are good but are helpless
Government intervention is necessary
People need to trust big government
Crime prevention – rehabilitation is necessary

4. Political and Economic Spectrums
Political freedom
Dictatorial capitalist
Dictatorial socialist
Democratic capitalist
Democratic socialist
Liberal, socialist
conservative
fascist
communist
Economic control
Economic freedom
Revolutionary Reationary
Political control

5. Philosophers

6. Human Nature
Hobbes: Selfish, violent, passionate yet reasonable (will use others to serve self)
Locke: Fundamentally reasonable and respectful (in theory but not always in practice)

7. Purpose and Power of Government
Hobbes: Bring about stability with words and force (coercion), curb man’s selfish and aggressive nature and provide a common defense
Locke: Interfere as little as possible; to protect property by organizing society; to foster individual rights

8. Natural or Individual Rights
Hobbes: All rights given up to one power that can legislate peace and common defense (unlimited authority); can only rebel if they are not being protected
Locke: Man has human rights; may voluntarily give up some power to ensure liberty for all; people can decide when it is time to rebel against government that is not fulfilling its obligations
Rousseau: (social contract)

9. Use of Force
Hobbes: Force is necessary as words are weak on their own, fear will control the people from being selfish
Locke: Strength is needed when there is conflict
Rousseau: People must be “forced to be free”

10. Type of Political System
Hobbes: dictatorship
Locke: Democracy (limited)
e.g. Constitutional Monarchy

11. where the majority rules with respect for the rights of the minority
Democracy:
where the majority rules with respect for the rights of the minority

12. Model (perfect, direct) Democracy
(in a democratic society you shouldn’t need a reason to make something legal, you should only need a reason to make something illegal)

13. Four justifications
Greatest amount of freedom possible within this system
Responds to the will of the people
Encourages individual creativity
Allows for a peaceful and orderly change of government

14. Rules to make it work
All people rule in all aspects; all public decisions would be made by all citizens
Majority rules with all being equal (politically and legally; one man – one vote)
A method of communication is established and an exchange of information is allowed
People are educated and informed

15. Characteristics necessary for direct democracy
Problem – there is a lack of time, interest and information for all people to be involved
Characteristics necessary for direct democracy
Small population
Few decisions

17. Representative Democracy
Only one decision needs to be made: choosing a representative (who has the time to be more informed and should have more interest)

18. 8 Techniques
Representation by population: each vote has equal worth because each representative has a fairly equal number of constituents
Periodic elections: intervals are stated with some defined guidelines
Secret ballot: punishment for voting against the majority is eliminated
Independent courts: protection against majority tyranny

19. 8 Techniques, cont.
Power of the purse: access to funds are eliminated if there is disapproval
Political parties: opposition parties represent the voices of the minority
Interest groups: they lobby the government in regards to a specific issue (voice concerns between elections and of the minority)
Free press: inform the public, can be the voice of the minority

20. Stop and reflect How do each of these techniques protect minorities
How does the protection of minorities ensure responsible democracy?

21. Advantages
Representatives work in the best interest of the people, not themselves
Safeguards and maintains individual freedoms
Promotes self-governing, intelligent citizens
Promotes peaceful coercion instead of physical violence

22. Disadvantages
Tyranny of the majority – minority rights are not protected (50% + 1)
Inefficiency of decision making and pluralism – slow to make decisions and keep up with dynamic world
Elite groups – few leaders gather power and lose touch with the rest of society (can include politicians, wealthy elite, interest groups)
Uninterested electorate
Bureaucracy

23. Canadian Electoral Ridings – equal representation?

24. The Department of Homeland Security Organizational Chart