Study Notes - C963
What is the definition of Government
○ Describes the means by which society organizes itself and allocates authority,
accomplish goals and provides benefits that the society as a whole needs.
What do government benefits provided depend on
○ All government benefits depend on the type of government.
What is the definition of Politics
○ Process of gaining and exercising control within a government
○ Purpose of setting and achieving particular goals, related to the division of resources.
When and where did the idea that people should govern themselves developed
○ 18th century, in North America and France.
What is an Oligarchy
○ Only the ruling elite or certain members of a political party can participate in
government.
What are private goods
○ Food, clothing and housing provided by private businesses, in exchange for profit.
What are public goods
○ Goods and services available to all without charge.
What are toll goods
○ Goods available to many, but only few can afford it.
What are common goods
○ Free of charge, but of limited supply.
○ Example, fish or clean drinking water.
○ Government protects common goods.
What is Civic Engagement
○ Participation that connects citizens to politics.
What are some forms of Civic Engagement
○ Reading
○ Discussing politics
○ Attending political debates
○ Donating money to political campaigns
○ Handing out flyers for candidates
○ Voting
○ Joining protests
○ Contacting elected representatives
What is the form of government of the US
○ Republic, or Representative Democracy
○ Citizens do not govern directly.
○ Representatives pass laws on behalf of people.
What is a democracy
○ Political power rests in the hands of the people
What are some examples of Direct Democracy
○ A referendum, or proposed law, that is voted for on the ballot, rather than leaving it up
to representatives.
What is a monarchy
○ Only one ruler holds power.
, What is the Enlightenment
○ One of the greatest influences of American government
○ Took place in Europe from 1650 - 1800
○ Transitioned from religious absolutism to human individuality and liberty.
○ Gives government by consent.
What are natural rights
○ God given rights to life, liberty and property.
What are the Two Treatises of Government
○ John Locke rejects the idea of kings
○ Defines what it means to be human
○ Specified proper structure in civil society
What is due process
○ Government's obligation to treat citizens fairly.
What is the social contract
○ Obligations we are expected to bear for the roles we play in the social order.
○ Is the product of human desire and effort.
What is the state of nature
○ Acknowledged fiction
○ Assume it does exist to make it easy to understand.
○ Condition in which all of us live individually and solitarily prior to the existence of
society.
What did John Locke view as the most important protections under the social
contract
○ Life, Liberty, and Property.
○ He viewed them as natural rights.
○ He believed that it was the government's job to protect them.
How much authority did John Locke believe society should have over citizens in
the social contract
○ Limited Authority
What was John Locke's belief about the state of nature
○ He believed the state of nature was peaceful and consisted of rational human beings.
○ He also believed the state of nature was inconvenient.
What are examples of challenges to the social contract
○ Civil War
○ Labor Movement
○ Civil Rights Movement
○ Women's Suffrage
○ Women's Liberation
How is society formed
○ Society is not natural or God-given.
○ Society is the product of human intention for the purpose of a collective interest.
What is the definition of society
○ Society is defined by a social contract, which is based on an understanding of that it
means to be human and of what human rights we poses.
What is the optimal form of government
○ Representative Democracy
What is the definition of Government
○ Describes the means by which society organizes itself and allocates authority,
accomplish goals and provides benefits that the society as a whole needs.
What do government benefits provided depend on
○ All government benefits depend on the type of government.
What is the definition of Politics
○ Process of gaining and exercising control within a government
○ Purpose of setting and achieving particular goals, related to the division of resources.
When and where did the idea that people should govern themselves developed
○ 18th century, in North America and France.
What is an Oligarchy
○ Only the ruling elite or certain members of a political party can participate in
government.
What are private goods
○ Food, clothing and housing provided by private businesses, in exchange for profit.
What are public goods
○ Goods and services available to all without charge.
What are toll goods
○ Goods available to many, but only few can afford it.
What are common goods
○ Free of charge, but of limited supply.
○ Example, fish or clean drinking water.
○ Government protects common goods.
What is Civic Engagement
○ Participation that connects citizens to politics.
What are some forms of Civic Engagement
○ Reading
○ Discussing politics
○ Attending political debates
○ Donating money to political campaigns
○ Handing out flyers for candidates
○ Voting
○ Joining protests
○ Contacting elected representatives
What is the form of government of the US
○ Republic, or Representative Democracy
○ Citizens do not govern directly.
○ Representatives pass laws on behalf of people.
What is a democracy
○ Political power rests in the hands of the people
What are some examples of Direct Democracy
○ A referendum, or proposed law, that is voted for on the ballot, rather than leaving it up
to representatives.
What is a monarchy
○ Only one ruler holds power.
, What is the Enlightenment
○ One of the greatest influences of American government
○ Took place in Europe from 1650 - 1800
○ Transitioned from religious absolutism to human individuality and liberty.
○ Gives government by consent.
What are natural rights
○ God given rights to life, liberty and property.
What are the Two Treatises of Government
○ John Locke rejects the idea of kings
○ Defines what it means to be human
○ Specified proper structure in civil society
What is due process
○ Government's obligation to treat citizens fairly.
What is the social contract
○ Obligations we are expected to bear for the roles we play in the social order.
○ Is the product of human desire and effort.
What is the state of nature
○ Acknowledged fiction
○ Assume it does exist to make it easy to understand.
○ Condition in which all of us live individually and solitarily prior to the existence of
society.
What did John Locke view as the most important protections under the social
contract
○ Life, Liberty, and Property.
○ He viewed them as natural rights.
○ He believed that it was the government's job to protect them.
How much authority did John Locke believe society should have over citizens in
the social contract
○ Limited Authority
What was John Locke's belief about the state of nature
○ He believed the state of nature was peaceful and consisted of rational human beings.
○ He also believed the state of nature was inconvenient.
What are examples of challenges to the social contract
○ Civil War
○ Labor Movement
○ Civil Rights Movement
○ Women's Suffrage
○ Women's Liberation
How is society formed
○ Society is not natural or God-given.
○ Society is the product of human intention for the purpose of a collective interest.
What is the definition of society
○ Society is defined by a social contract, which is based on an understanding of that it
means to be human and of what human rights we poses.
What is the optimal form of government
○ Representative Democracy
