Name that Political Philosopher!

AGENDASeptember 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. Legislative2. Executive3. Judicial

Roman Republic / Cicero

Big ideas: 1. Representative Democracy2. Public Good / Common Good3. 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 LockeBig ideas:

1. Natural Rights (Life, Liberty & Property)

2. Popular SovereigntyGovernment’s power ultimately comes from the

people

3. Social Contract TheoryPeople 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. Legislative2. Executive3. Judicial

Protects individuals’ freedom

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE

US CONSTITUTION

Popular SovereigntyThe 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 GovernmentGovernment 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 PowersCheckpoint: 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 BalancesEach 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 ReviewThe 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.

FederalismA 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 ReviewStudy / 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 55-75 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