1. Unit # 4: The Founding Period Part 1 Ms. Jennifer L. Blank 10 th Grade Global Studies

2. INTRODUCTION TO THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF OUR FOUNDERS Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin Key Question: What is the proper role of government? Should it be BIG or small?

3. What is Political Philosophy? The study of human social organization and of the nature of man/woman in society. Basically, it’s the examination of how society should be organized, how men and women interact in that society, and what their role is in society. When we talk about government, it means we examine the role that government should play in our society.

4. DO YOU KNOW THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF OUR FOUNDERS? HINT! → ← HINT!

5. CLASSICAL LIBERALISM!

6. Why Classical Liberalism? Founders were children of the Enlightenment The were mistrustful of govt. American colonies were mistreated by a strong central govt. from far away They were so pissed off they started a war! They believed they deserved certain rights simply because they were human – govt. had no right to infringe upon these rights These rights are called natural rights

7. Definition & Characteristics: The belief in liberty that formed the ideological and theoretical basis of U.S. Government. Rights do not come from government Certain rights are natural rights We get them because we are human Key characteristics are: (translate the concepts below into your own words) Limited government Rule of law Avoidance of arbitrary or discretionary power Sanctity of private property & freely made contracts Personal responsibility

8. Types of Liberalism: Classical (our focus) Philosophy of founding fathers Govt.’s job is to protect natural rights, nothing more & nothing less 20 th Century (not our focus) Less emphasis on economic liberty Believed govt. should regulate economy

9. END OF PART 1