AP Government amp Politics Barnett Basis Philosophical Origins I Introduction A Definition of Constitutional Government 1 Basis for running of government 2 Does not need to be written ID: 474448
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Slide1
Unit I: Philosophical Origins of Constitutional Government
AP Government & PoliticsBarnettBasisSlide2
Philosophical Origins
I. Introduction A. Definition of Constitutional Government
1. Basis for running of government
2. Does not need to be written
B. Events that
S
hape Philosophers’ Thoughts
1. Enlightenment – Age of Reason
2. British History v Continental Europe
C. Thesis: The US Constitution is the embodiment of Enlightenment thought as applied to Gov’t & PolSlide3
Philosophical Origins
II. Development of “Liberal Democratic Tradition” A. Define Terms
B. Classical Liberalism
C. What is the “Natural State of Man
”?Slide4
Philosophical Origins
D. Who or What is Sovereign in Society?E. What is the “Social Contract”?
F. What is “Liberty” and what is the role of the State in maintaining “Liberty”?Slide5
Philosophical Origins
D. Who or What is Sovereign in Society?E. What is the “Social Contract”?
F. What is “Liberty” and what is the role of the State in maintaining “Liberty”?Slide6
Philosophical Origins
III. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)A. Tutor of children of English Aristocrats
B. What made England the most powerful country?
1. Theocracy
2. The Sovereign State
a. Law & Justice created by the sovereign
b. Social Contract – Sovereign must satisfy the needs of his subjects
3. English Civil War and Cromwellian Period (1642 – 1660) Slide7
Philosophical Origins
C. What is the “Natural State of Man”?1. Seek Pleasure / Avoid Pain
2. All Men Equal / Continuous War in Pursuit of Self Interest
3. Sovereign State Needed to Provide OrderSlide8
Philosophical Origins
4. Sovereign Not Absolute – Sovereign possesses the “Natural State of Man” 5. Three Principal Causes of Chaos
a. Competition
b. Diffidence
c. GlorySlide9
Philosophical Origins
D. How to produce order out of chaos? 1. Social Contract with Sovereign
a. Sovereign sets the Rules within which man pursues his self-interest
b. Men agree to abide by the rules
c. Sovereign agrees to enforce the rules
2.
Liberty
comes from the Social Contract
3. The Result; A Commonwealth