What describes characteristics of a social contract? - -Specification of natural rights
-a definition of human nature
-a collective expression of a collectively shared interest
In what ways is the state of nature important for constructing a social contract? - -The
State of Nature gives definition to what it means to be human
-The state of nature gives definition to natural rights
Why is it important to now what the quality of life is like in the state of nature? - -It
explains the incentive for working cooperatively with others
-it helps to frame the type of social contract that is needed to make individual life better
What is the purpose of the social contract? - -To acknowledge and protect natural
rights
What is an important weakness of a social contract? - -Social contracts require
consensus
What is true about natural rights? - -They let you do what you need to survive and be
secure
-They impart an equality of being among all people
What is true about the state of nature? - -is a thought experiment upon which a
definition of proper society and government built
-permits a philosophical definition of human nature
What conditions are required for a social contract to work? - -Consensus among
whose whom the social contract applies to
-uniformity of ability and purpose among those who agree to the social contract
Which of these describes the the theory of the social contact? - -Society is not natural,
but created by the people
What are the social contracts constructed to be compatible with? - -Human Nature and
Natural rights
Which was designed with a concern for the tyranny of factional majority? - -The
constitution
What is the Enlightenment? - -The source of our ideas about natural rights
-A period of Western European history following the Middle Ages
Why does the Enlightenment influence American politics and government? - -Those
immigrating to the American colonies are attracted to the Enlightenment's ideas of
liberty and property
, -The colonist have a long history of self-government, consistent with the
Enlightenment's idea's about government by consent
-Ideas of the Enlightenment frame the colonists' response to British violations of natural
rights.
How do conflicting ideas of the Enlightenment influence American government and
politics? - -The constitution sets up a system of government that isn't favorable to the
democratic expression of the popular will
-The protection of private property can interfere with the government's dealing with
important social needs
What ideas are embodied in the Declaration of Independence? - -The idea that
governments are created by people to protect their natural rights
-the natural rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
In what key ways does the Constitution differ from the Declaration of Independence? -
-is more concerned with controlled rather than expressing the popular will
-makes justice more important than liberty
What type of rights are contained in the Bill of Rights? - -Natural rights
-Procedural rights
The Constitution's first three articles create separate legislative, executive and judicial
branches, is consistent with: - -Montesquieu's theory for the separation of political
power
The constitutions demotion of liberty, and lack of protections for natural rights, suggests
the framers were what? - -More interested in the practicalities of government
Which system of government allows states to retain most of their power and authority
while delegating few defined powers to the national government? - -A confederation
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? - -The articles limited the powers of the
national government too much, making it weak and ineffective
-the articles gave the states too much authority
How did creating a republican form of government in the United States ease the fears of
the national government becoming too powerful? - -Republican government rested
political power in the hands of the people
Why was it so difficult to change the Articles of Confederation? - -The articles of
Confederation required unanimous consent by all the states for any changes
Which of these are powers of the national government under the Articles of
Confederation? - -the power to declare war
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