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We The People: What Did The Founders Think About Constitutional Government?. Plato. Greek Philosopher Wrote The Republic -education Best government-philosopher king 5 types of gov’t Aristocracy-rule by elites Timocracy -rule by military Oligarchy-rule by wealthy few
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We The People: What Did The Founders Think About Constitutional Government?
Plato • Greek Philosopher • Wrote The Republic-education • Best government-philosopher king • 5 types of gov’t • Aristocracy-rule by elites • Timocracy-rule by military • Oligarchy-rule by wealthy few • Democracy-rule by common people • Tyranny-rule by worst person
Cicero • Roman philosopher, politician, 58 B.C. • Self-restraint, limits to action • Honorable actions must be chosen
Thomas Hobbes • English Philosopher • Wrote Leviathan after English Civil War • What do you think he saw? • People w/o gov’t live in state of nature • Life is violent, poor • People enter social contract • Agree to give up rights for gov’t protection • Advocated monarchy
John Locke • English Philosopher • Used social contract for limited gov’t • Preserve individual rights-life, liberty, property • People can overthrow gov’t
Montesquieu • French Philosopher • Advocated mixed government • Comprised of 3 elements • Monarchy, aristocracy, democracy • Based off ideas of Polybius
American Philosophers • Alexander Hamilton-advocated for strong central gov’t • Benjamin Franklin-compromise on divisive issues • George Mason-wanted Bill of Rights for the people
Vocabulary Terms • Constitution-plan of gov’tthat sets forth structures, powers of gov’t. • Constitutional Government-Limited government; the rule of law, written down. • Democracy-a form of government in which all citizens exercise political power, either directly or through their elected representatives.
Vocab (Con’t) • Forms of Government-general forms of government, such as monarchies, republics, and autocracies. • Limited Government-More generally, limited government is constitutional government governed by the rule of law.
Vocab (Con’t) • Parliament-The British legislature, which consists of two houses: the House of Lords, which once represented the nobility, and the House of Commons, which formally represents the common people.
Vocab (Con’t) • Republic-form of government that derives its powers directly or indirectly from the people, administered by officials holding power for a limited time • Unwritten Constitution-body of political practices developed through custom and tradition. • Written Constitution-written plan of government that sets forth structures, powers of government.