WGU C963 - Learning Checks & Quizzes|212
Questions and Answers
What is it called when people make an agreement between themselves and
the government? - -A social contract
-According to the social contract theory, what is the origin of society? - -
Society is the product of human desire and effort
-Which of the following did John Locke view as the most important
protections under the social contract? - -Liberty and property
-Which of these accurately describes John Locke's view on the state of
nature? - -The state of nature was peaceful and consisted of rational human
beings
-According to John Locke, how much authority should society have over its
citizens under the social contract? - -Limited authority, the social contract
should provide a society in which the society has no more power than is
necessary to regulate the natural rights and co-existence of its citizens
-Describe the characteristics of a social contract. - -A social contract is a
collective expression of a collectively shared interest, a definition of human
nature, and a specification of natural rights.
-In what way is the state of nature important for constructing a social
contract? - -Society should be a reflection of what it means to be human,
and natural rights must be acknowledged and protected in a social contract.
-Why is it important to know what the quality of life is like in the state of
nature? - -How bad or good life is in the state of nature will guide the need
to cooperate with others, and the subsequent social contract will help
overcome the drawbacks experienced in the state of nature.
-What is the purpose of a social contract? - -Social contracts are created to
acknowledge and protect natural rights.
-What is an important weakness of a social contract? - -Social contracts
require consensus, which is difficult to obtain in any society.
-What do natural rights let you do? - -Natural rights let you do what you
need to survive and be secure, and they impart an equality of all people.
, -What did the Enlightenment philosophers used the state of nature for? - -
Enlightenment philosophers used the state of nature to define human nature
and argued for a proper society and government based on that nature.
-What conditions are required for a social contract to work? - -The
conditions needed for a social contract to work include consensus among
those involved in the social contract and a uniformity of ability and purpose
among those who agree to it.
-What does the theory of a social contract acknowledge? - -The social
contract acknowledges that the people are in relationship with the
government and there are obligations the citizens have to a society.
-What are social contracts constructed to be compatible with? - -The social
contract recognizes both human nature and natural rights and when
constructed, natural rights are a central part because they are too important
to our individual lives.
-What natural right was explicitly protected in the Declaration of
Independence? - -Liberty. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of
Independence based on the ideas of John Locke who argued that one of our
most important natural rights is liberty.
-Which Constitutional principle, suggested by Montesquieu, lessens the
potential harm of the national government over the people? - -Separation of
Powers. By separating the legislative, executive, and judicial power and
placing each branch into the control of different political actors this would
prevent government tyranny over the people by limiting the harm any one
branch might do on its own.
-Which Constitutional mechanism, suggested by Montesquieu, balances the
national government and prevents any one section of government from
having sole/complete power? - -Checks and Balances. Prevents any one
branch from gaining complete power and control over the government by
allowing each branch to monitor and influence what happens in the other
branches.
-Which of the following protects Locke's idea of natural rights and provides
Montesquieu's protections known as due process of law? - -The Bill of Rights.
This addition to the Constitution focuses on protecting the liberties or
freedoms by protecting such rights as freedom of speech and providing due
process.
-Which was designed with a concern for the tyranny of factional majority? -
-The Constitution. The potential for the tyranny of factional majority was a
key consideration at the time of the drafting of the Constitution.
, -What is the Enlightenment? - -A period of Western European history
following the Middle Ages (1650-1800) that occurred mainly in Great Britain,
France, and Germany. Its philosophy produced the idea of natural rights.
-Why does the Enlightenment influence American politics and government? -
-Those who settled the American colonies were seeking freedom and
opportunity, and Locke's ideas about the consent to be governed and the
right to rebellion had a major influence in the establishment of American
government. Early Americans were not drawn to the idea of the divine right
of kings.
-How do conflicting ideas of the Enlightenment influence government and
politics? - -Separation of powers in the Constitution works to undermine
popular democratic input and control, but even when dealing with important
social needs, protection of private property limits the government's actions.
-What ideas are embodied in the Declaration of Independence? - -The
Declaration specifically mentions life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as
well as the idea that people have the right to create or abolish governments
if their natural rights are at risk.
-In what key ways does the Constitution differ from the Declaration of
Independence? - -While the Declaration emphasized liberty and expressing
the popular will, the Constitution was designed to control popular will and
support justice.
-What type of rights are contained in the Bill of Rights? - -The Bill contains
both natural rights and 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 Constitution's demotion of liberty, and lack of protections for natural
rights, suggests the framers were what? - -The framers were interested in
creating a national government that worked.
-How is unicameral Congress different from a bicameral Congress? - -A
unicameral Congress has one chamber while a bicameral Congress has two.
-What was the basis of representation in Congress under the Articles of
Confederation? - -All states were viewed as equal, so each state had one
vote in the Congress.
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