Ideas Contributing to Becoming a Nation. John Locke Famous English Philosopher Natural Rights:...
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Transcript of Ideas Contributing to Becoming a Nation. John Locke Famous English Philosopher Natural Rights:...
Ideas
Contributing
to
Becoming a Nation
John Locke Famous English Philosopher
Natural Rights: Life, Liberty and Property
State of nature: people are free to do what want (freedom or rights) –rights NOT protected
Social Contract Theory: (Social Compact) Agree to give up some freedoms in exchange for protection and security
What might happen to your rights in a state of nature?
• Under Social Contract Theory • People have right to overthrow
government if they are not protecting people
• Free to make own choices AS LONG AS do NOT interfere with liberty of others
Jefferson uses Locke’s theory to prove that government in England was violating Natural Rights of colonists
• Roman Republic ( 509 BC to 27 BC): • influenced founding fathers-intrigued
They were able to rule selves without a king
• Wealthy and common people shared power
3 Characteristics of Republican Government
Citizens have power to govern Citizens give power to representatives
they elect Representatives responsible for
promoting welfare of people
Characteristics of a Republican and Representative
Government
• Democracy: Direct Government ruled by a majority
• Republic: Representative government ruled by law (like a constitution)
• Civic Virtue: both citizens and leaders live hard working, modest lives. ALWAYS put common welfare above own individual interests
Democracy vs. Republic
Montesquieu: French Writer Believed you needed to Separate
and Balance the Powers of a government among Branches to make sure serves the welfare of the people
Make sure each Branch has ways to CHECK the others
FOUNDING FATHERS thought a republic was best form of government
Important to teach and promote Civic Virtue among citizens
1. Describe a person you know or a leader in our nation who you think has Civic Virtue
2. Explain some situations in which you think you should put the common welfare above your own interests
3. Explain some situations in which you might not want to put the common welfare above your own interests
4. Explain some things a government could do that would be for the common welfare
5. Explain some situations in which people might disagree what is best for the common welfare. What should be done when there are such disagreements?