WGU- C963 Exam Prep (Answered) 269 Questions
and Correct Answers. 100% Correct, Updated Fall
2024/2025.
John Locke
English philosopher who advocated the idea of a "social contract" in which government powers are
derived from the consent of the governed and in which the government serves the people; also said
people have natural rights to life, liberty and property.
Montesquieu
French political philosopher who advocated the separation of executive and legislative and judicial
powers.
Advocated for due process
Adam Smith
argued for property rights and minimal gov regulation in economics.
Social Contracy Theory
Agreement between people and government where citizens are content to be governed as long as
government protects natural rights.
Thomas Hobbes
english philosopher who argued society isnt natural or immutable but created by us, instead of being
passive members of society we are creators.
Implicit contracts
never agreed upon, but we find ourselves in.
"Rights imply obligation so when you take from the pot, you are expected to pay in"
Ex: taxes
State of Nature
theory on how people might have lived before societies
Natural Rights
society can not interfere with our efforts to obtain
ex: Food, shelter, clothing
Hobbes vs. Locke vs. Roussea
,Hobbes- seeks physical security as social contract
Locke- seeks protection from harm and permitting us to pursue our own lives
Rousseau- argues for general will of society using uniformity of existence
Social Contract
require continual renegotiation to remain relevant to present circumstances.
Failure to negotiate can lead to dissolution of society
Declaration of Independence
written mainly by Jefferson, expressed ideas of locke.
-Gov serves to regulate terms of social contract in society and protect our natural rights and serve as
democratic conduit for interests
U.S. Constitution
turns to less democratic ideas of Montesquieu and Rousseau
- separates legislative, executive and judicial powers, works to determine sovereignty of states
Bill of Rights
Constitutional amendments that protect the rights of citizens
Articles of confederation
first attempt at structuring the United States.
- established republic that held power and elected representatives to govern with independent self
governing states from a union
bicameral legislature
two chambers of legislature; House of Representatives and Senate
created so the government didnt have too much power
Power to Borrow and coin money
federal government can establish national banking system; also to control national fiscal power
Power to declare war
gov can delcare war if deemed appropriate and can appoint military officials
Power to make Treaties and Alliances with other nations
could enter into treaties or agreements with other nations if deemed appropriate.
Power to Regulate Trade w/ Native Americans
negotiate and regulate trade but, native Americans werent considered citizens of the U.S. and were
treated as foreigners.
Power to settle disputes between states
, right to settle any and all boundary disputes that arose between the states, which were bound to
happen.
Power to Raise an Army or Navy
National government didn't have the power for its own military so they had to request troops from the
states who could deny. This would leave a lack of defense for the country
Taxation
national government had no power to impose or collect taxes; they had to request it from states- they
were negligent and would leave national government underfunded.
Regulating Trade
National gov didnt have the power to regulate trade causing the economy to suffer; trade was regulated
through the states so the national government couldnt collect taxes.
Virginia Plan
"Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of
a bicameral Congress. The plan favored larger states and thus prompted smaller states to come back
with their own plan for apportioning representation.
The Great Compromise
Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one
house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house
Article 1 of the Constitution
congress is given power to tax, maintain navy & army, and regulate trade and commerce, coin and
borrow money declare war, establish laws.
3/5 Compromise
60% of slaves counted for population and taxable property
Clause 3 Article IV
slave owners can reclaim their runaway slaves.
checks and balances
A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to
prevent abuse of power
Federal System
form of government where power is divided between states and national government
Enumerated Powers
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