Chapter 1-Ideals of Democracy

the law of God that is acknowledged through human sense and reason; under the law—in a state of nature— people were born free and equal. According to this law, Locke reasoned, “No one can be . . . subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent.”

• Divine right of kings
• Social contract without consent
• Natural law

• Absolute monarchy

the people as the ultimate ruling authority—and a government of officials to carry out the laws

• popular sovereignty

• Oligarchy
• Monarchy
• Theocracy

citizens elect leaders for a limited period of time; the leaders’ job is to make and execute laws in the public interest

• Oligarchy
• Monarchy
• republicanism

• Theocracy

provided a moral and legal justification for the rebellion of the colonists from Great Britain

• The Declaration of Independence p

• The Constitution

• The Magna Carta

• The Articles of Confederation

government—one kept under control by law, checks and balances, and separation of powers​ (a)  

• Limited
• Unlimited
• Autocratic
• Dictatorial

the agreement of free and equal people to abandon certain natural rights in order to find secure protections for society and to find freedom in a single body politic committed to the general good

• Natural rights theory
• Divine right of kings
• Utilitarianism
• Social contract

Supported the strong national government created by the Constitution

Believed existing Constitutional provisions would protect the rights of states and individuals

Believed qualified representatives were best suited to lead the nation

Believed unchecked factions would put the interests of a few above the interests of the nation

• Anti-Federalists
• Democratic-Republicans
• Libertarians
• Federalists

Wanted states to have more power

Believed a bill of rights was needed to guarantee protection

of the rights of states and individuals

Believed many should have a voice in government to prevent the elite from having too much power

• Democrats
• Libertarians
• Federalists
• Anti-Federalists

​ (a)   -compete in the “marketplace of ideas” and look for access points at the local, state, and federal levels to persuade policymakers.

• Interest Group
• Anti-federalist
• Federalist
• Political Party

people with widely varying interests find others who share their interests and organize and unite into nongovernmental groups to exert influence on political decision making.

• Participatory Democracy

• Elite Democracy

• Pluralist Democracy

•  Representative Democracy