gov Flashcards
(42 cards)
What is the Government supposed to do?
Acts for the benefits of the citizens.
Has a balanced power system and good defense
Punishes bad behavior and encourages good behavior
depends on ideas of good/just/right
How should we act in relation to government
Submit to government
Participate when possible
As Christians, pray for government
Thomas Hobbes: Sovereignty
Power entrusted to a ruler who is powerful enough to keep his subjects from killing each other
Thomas hobbes: Legacy
Government is defined as an institution with a monopoly on legitimate use of force
TH: Police power
Governments authority to maintain order and safety
John Locke:
(1) Governments exist to protect the basic rights of individuals (life, liberty, property)
(2) Governments that don’t do this are illegitimate and can be replaced
John Locke Legacy
Liberalism: Government exist to protect freedoms of individuals
Constitutionalism: Governments and rulers are bound by a basic law
Dictatorship
Government rules without the consent or input from the governed
Totalitarianism
The Government seeks to control every aspect of life
Popular Government
The governed participate in the government
Direct Democracy
Voters are directly involved in every decision
indirect democracy
voters choose representatives to make laws and run the government
Unitary
Power is centralized
Federal
Division of powers among central, local, and state government
Confedrate
Weak central government, strong state governments
Opportunity
People must believe that democracy offers them the best chance at social and economic advancement as well security
Education
People must be trained in how democratic governments works at how to participate intelligently
responsibility
people must be willing to live with the consequences of their choices
Majority Rule
The side with the biggest number of votes gets to make decisions that are binding on everyone
popular majority
Of all citizens/voters
Representative majority
of elected representatives
Pluralism
differing opinions and political parties exist freely and are allowed to compete for popular supports
Equality
Law treats everyone the same
Compromise
Everyone gets some of what they want rather than nothing and another group getting everything they want