American Heritage Midterm 1

Front 1

Founding:

Back 1

a conscious, deliberate act of creating a system of government.

Front 2

Government:

Back 2

social structure that gives sense of belonging, safety, and fair treatment

Front 3

What concerns or problems might we
face when deciding what kind of
system of government to create?

Back 3

We need to cooperate.
• But our interests conflict.
We want freedom.
• But not anarchy (so we need some
order).

Front 4

Sovereignty

Back 4

• Ultimate political power within a
jurisdiction; having the “final say”

Front 5

Tyranny

Back 5

• Absolute power centralized in one person (or small group);
• The organized expression of the will of an individual or small group.

Front 6

What is it about tyranny that's so bad?

Back 6

It rules people's wills instead of ruling laws.

Front 7

What are some problems with tyranny?

Back 7

absolute power corrupts
no equality
ruled by whim instead of justice
leads to fighting

Front 8

Why do people submit to tyrants?

Back 8

protection
fear
a need to belong
lack of coordination with opposers
it's natural to obey authority

Front 9

Revolution

Back 9

• A means of removing tyranny from power

Front 10

Antebrachial

Back 10

Pertaining to forearm.

(Antebrachium)

Front 11

What are the problems with anarchy?

Back 11

some people's freedom is taken
there is no coordination
loss of goods

Front 12

What does anarchy eventually lead to?

Back 12

competing groups

Front 13

Competing Groups

Back 13

• Factions fight with each other in an effort to gain power.

Front 14

What are attributes of The Good Society?

Back 14

Health
• Education
• Prosperity
• Peace
• Respect
• Cultural Achievement
• Liberty

Front 15

What makes the good society hard to achieve?

Back 15

There are a lot of specifics to argue about

Front 16

When is it okay for the government to
claim power and to act?

Back 16

This depends on the prevailing belief of where the gov. gets its legitimacy.

Front 17

What are some answers to where gov. gets its legitimacy?

Back 17

Divine right of kings (secular leader chosen by deity)
Theocracy(religious leader chesen by deity)
Aristocracy (the wisest or wealtiest or best rule)
Democracy (someone rules by consent of the people)

Front 18

What shapes our belief about the legitimacy of government?

Back 18

Our belief about the nature of humankind.

Front 19

self-interest:

Back 19

actions motivated by concern for ourselves or our family's well being.

Front 20

virtue:

Back 20

motivated by standards, ideals, or concerns beyond our own self interests

Front 21

Arete (list virtues)

Back 21

striving for human excellence in courage, wisdom, temperance, and justice

Front 22

Christian virtues

Back 22

meek, humble, long suffering, patient

Front 23

What 5 things did Thomas Hobbes say about human nature?

Back 23

the most reliable way to interpret human nature is the self-interest model
a state of nature would be all against all
our primary interest is self preservation
you need to start with self interest to progress to virtue
you have to use coercion to control self interest

Front 24

What is an example of corporate communities?

Back 24

Jamestown

Front 25

Motivation for
corporate community:

Back 25

profits and
economic
opportunity

Front 26

Can material gain be the basis for an effective community?

Back 26

Yes, self-interest leads to cooperation in a free market

Front 27

What were the benefits of the corporate communities in Virginia?

Back 27

economic opportunity and prosperity
self-government (the house of bourges)

Front 28

What was a drawback of the Virginia Corporate Communities?

Back 28

Much of economic growth based on
slavery and indentured servitude

Front 29

What's an example of a Covenant Community?

Back 29

Separatists
(Plymouth Pilgrims)

Front 30

What was the motivation for the Covenant Communities?

Back 30

God’s chosen
people covenant with Him
and each other to live
according to divine plan

Front 31

What three ideals typified Covenant Communities?

Back 31

The Mayflower Compact
A Model of Christian Charity
The Body of Christ

Front 32

The Mayflower Compact

Back 32

Covenant and Combine ourselves
together into a Civil Body Politic

Front 33

Who wrote "A Model of Christian Charity"?

Back 33

John Winthrop

Front 34

A Model of Christian Charity

Back 34

If we make it safely to the New World, then God accepts our covenant. If we break it, we will feel His wrath.

Front 35

What is the purpose of "The Body Of Christ"?

Back 35

to improve their lives through
service to the Lord

Front 36

What is an example of Corporate/Covenant Communities?

Back 36

Puritans (Massachusetts Bay)

Front 37

What typified Corporate/Covenant Communities?

Back 37

Successful economic activity combined with covenant communities
Church and state officially separate
But religion and politics were very much intertwined in Puritan life

Front 38

What was John Calvin's theology?

Back 38

• All are fallen/totally depraved
• “Elect” saved/preserved by grace alone
• The elect will build a holy community as an example to the world
• All aspects of community life have a moral dimension

Front 39

What community did John Calvin's teaching influence?

Back 39

Puritan (Corporate/Covenant)

Front 40

Who wrote "A Christian at his Calling"?

Back 40

Cotton Mather

Front 41

What points does Cotton Mather make in "A Christian at his Calling"?

Back 41

Christian Calling
• God is beyond comprehension and emulation
• Glorify God by becoming “workers in the world”
• Pursue worldly hard work (rise early, work industriously, save money, invest wisely)
• Prosperity is a sign of God’s favor

Front 42

What typified the puritan community?

Back 42

moral self governance (accountability and responsibility for whole community)

Front 43

What are the downsides of the puritan community?

Back 43

Authoritarian, outsiders don't have same rights as puritans, they blur the line between church and state.

Front 44

What are the three approaches to government?

Back 44

Greek (arete)
Christian (virtues)
Enlightenment (self-interest)

Front 45

Should government promote self control by emphasizing virtue?

Back 45

Hobbes says self interest should be controlled by coercion (tax deductions on charitable donations, tax the rich)

Front 46

What was so special about the Mayflower Compact?

Back 46

it was a precursor for the constitution
they were written goals
they got organized right of the boat

Front 47

Who wrote "Model of Christian Charity?"

Back 47

John Winthrop

Front 48

Why is there inequality, according to John Winthrop's "Model of Christian Charity"?

Back 48

we can benefit from each other's strengths
a restraint on the wealthy (they will help the poor)
to knot us together in the bonds of brotherly affection (we will help and be helped)

Front 49

What are the founding Myths?

Back 49

Myth of the Garden
Myth of the Promised Land
Myth of the New Jerusalem

Front 50

Ancient Liberty

Back 50

the freedom to participate in political and community life
allows for complete subjection of the individual to the will of the whole

Front 51

What are the cons of Ancient Liberty?

Back 51

minorities loose freedom
individuals are given too much say
the majority is easily swayed

Front 52

What is the pro of Ancient Liberty?

Back 52

no one person can become too powerful

Front 53

What are the cons of Modern Liberty?

Back 53

less unity
the political process is neglected
laziness

Front 54

What are the pros of Modern Liberty?

Back 54

diversity
creativity
fulfillment

Front 55

Modern Liberty

Back 55

freedom from the arbitrary will of others
freedom to do what you want

Front 56

What stops us from going back to Ancient Liberty?

Back 56

we are too big, we don't have slaves, and commerce pushes us forward

Front 57

Political Liberty

Back 57

combination of modern and ancient liberties

Front 58

Benjamin Constant

Back 58

He wrote the liberty of ancients compared with that of Moderns.

Front 59

What are the four types of liberty?

Back 59

• Ancient Liberty
• Modern Liberty
• Political Liberty
• Winthrop’s Civil or Moral Liberty

Front 60

Robert Filmer

Back 60

Argued that the Divine Right of Kings was the correct system.

Front 61

What are our natural rights according to John Locke?

Back 61

• Life
• Liberty
• Property

Front 62

Who was John Locke?

Back 62

Secretary to Lord Shaftsbury, the leader of the Whig party.

Front 63

BUF

Back 63

Buffalo, New York

Front 64

What is a social contract?

Back 64

consent of the governed gives legitimacy to the government
a government that doesn't protect rights should be abolished

Front 65

What are the challenges of bringing together ancient and modern liberty?

Back 65

people are too lazy to participate
people are too ignorant of their rights and of the political process

Front 66

Does it matter how we view liberty?

Back 66

it affects our self perception
it affects our perception of our relationship to government

Front 67

How can we know whether a society is
successful in preserving liberty?

Back 67

It follows the Rule of Law

Front 68

What are the Principles of the Rule of Law?

Back 68

• Generality
• Prospectivity
• Publicity
• Consent
• Due Process

Front 69

Generality

Back 69

We should not know in advance who is
helped or hurt by a law.

Front 70

Prospectivity

Back 70

• Laws must apply to future action, not
past
• Individuals must be able to know
consequences of actions in advance

Front 71

Publicity

Back 71

People should know what the law is
and know that it will be enforced.

Front 72

How can we know when consent is genuine?

Back 72

no coercion to vote a certain way
have choices presented for competitive election

Front 73

Due Process

Back 73

Laws must be administered impartially;
fair procedures that do not prejudice
the process for or against anyone
• “Justice must be blind.”

Front 74

Should we adhere to the principles of
the rule of law, even if it means letting
some who are probably guilty off?

Back 74

Yes, the rule of law protects us, even if not every one who's guilty gets convicted

Front 75

Goals for
Economic Systems

Back 75

Efficiency
Equity
Freedom

Front 76

Efficiency

Back 76

Produce the most goods at the lowest cost

Front 77

Equity

Back 77

Distribute goods and rewards fairly

Front 78

What is command economy?

Back 78

Power and authority of the government to create
cooperation and resolve conflicting interests as well
as allocate resources and set prices.

Front 79

What are examples of command economy?

Back 79

mercantilism and communism

Front 80

describe Market economy

Back 80

Free exchange creates cooperation, and market determined prices create incentives that allocate resources

Front 81

What is an example of market economy?

Back 81

capitalism

Front 82

What four things typified 18th Century
Mercantilism?

Back 82

• Economic success = stockpiles of gold and
silver in the king’s treasury
• Used taxes and subsidies to encourage
exports and discourage imports
• Kept employees and owners of key
industries from moving to other countries
• Regulated the economic activities of the
colonies to support the empire

Front 83

Adam Smith

Back 83

Professor of Moral
Philosophy and
Logic at Glasgow
University who wrote a critique of
mercantilism and
an explanation of
the operation of the
market system.

Front 84

Who wrote the Wealth of Nations?

Back 84

Adam Smith

Front 85

What are four points that Adam Smith makes in The Wealth of Nations?

Back 85

1. Value of markets
2. Self-interest as
motivation
3. Specialization
4. Invisible Hand

Front 86

Who is the Father of Modern Economics?

Back 86

Adam Smith

Front 87

Describe markets

Back 87

• Markets are characterized by free and open exchange.
• Through self-interest, individuals
search out exchanges that would be
most beneficial to them.

Front 88

Why is exchange
miraculous?

Back 88

• In a free exchange, both parties are
made better off!

Front 89

Why does free exchange work?

Back 89

because different people value goods differently based on tastes and preferences and production value.

Front 90

What does money do for economy?

Back 90

• A medium of exchange: makes trade
easier
• Eliminates the need for a
“coincidence of wants” across
various goods and services

Front 91

What assumption does Adam Smith make about human nature?

Back 91

self-interest is the primary motivator

Front 92

scarcity

Back 92

unlimited wants yet limited resources

Front 93

Why is the division of labor more effective?

Back 93

increased proficiency in one skill
saves in transition time from one job to another
leads to the development of machines

Front 94

How do we decide what to specialize in?

Back 94

Use the law of comparative advantage

Front 95

What is the law of comparative advantage?

Back 95

Specialize in producing the goods for
which you have the lowest opportunity
cost.

Front 96

What does Michael Mullane say about the rule of law?

Back 96

The rule of law only exists if we believe in it.

Front 97

What are the pros of the law of comparative advantage?

Back 97

Full employment of resources
widest possible gains from exchange
economic interdependence

Front 98

What is the con of the law of comparative advantage?

Back 98

those who aren't the lowest cost producers loose their jobs, and then they need to job hunt.

Front 99

how does a market economy control self-interest?

Back 99

Competition and Prices

Front 100

Competition:

Back 100

no buyer or seller nor group of buyers or sellers controls the
price in exchange

Front 101

What are the Implications of Competition?

Back 101

• Helps keep self-interest in check
• Helps economies become more efficient
• Disperses gains from exchange widely

Front 102

What are the Four Basic Principles of economics?

Back 102

• The Law of Demand
• The Law of Supply
• Equilibrium Price
• Role of Profits

Front 103

The Law of Demand

Back 103

• As the price of a particular good or
service rises, people will buy less of that good or service.

Front 104

The Law of Supply

Back 104

• As the price of a particular good or
service rises, people will produce more
of that good or service.

Front 105

How do prices and profits affect the
economy?

Back 105

• Ration scarce goods and resources
• Incentives to change the behavior of
individuals and businesses
• Send signals that influence future
plans

Front 106

Does a market mean complete absence of government?

Back 106

no

Front 107

What is the role of government in a market economy? (5 things)

Back 107

PREVENTS COERCION AND FRAUD
provides currency
provides transportation and communication means
defines property rights
enforces exchange agreements

Front 108

Motives for Government
Restriction of Exchange

Back 108

1. Government paternalism
2. A third party is directly hurt by the exchange
3. Redistribute income toward a group or nation

Front 109

What is an example of the gov. redistributing income toward a group or nation?

Back 109

Tariffs or quotas on imported steel
or autos

Front 110

What is an example of the gov. protecting a third party that is directly hurt by an exchange?

Back 110

Restriction on pesticides or
chemicals

Front 111

What is an example of Government paternalism?

Back 111

Prohibition of cocaine or marijuana

Front 112

What sort of
freedom did the
colonists want?

Back 112

Liberty as Self-Government

Front 113

What did Thomas Jefferson say about the Declaration?

Back 113

[The
Declaration of
Independence] was
intended to be an
expression of the
American mind.”

Front 114

What were the four sections of the Declaration of Independence?

Back 114

• Section I: The Opening
• Section II: Theoretical Core
• Section III: Evidence
• Section IV: Conclusion

Front 115

What are the 5 Self-Evident Truths?

Back 115

1. All men are created equal.
2. We are endowed by our Creator with certain rights,
including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
3. The purpose of government is to secure these
rights.
4. Governments receive power from the consent of
the governed.
5. Whenever governments do not fulfill their basic
purposes, the people may alter or abolish their
government.

Front 116

What led us to the revolution?

Back 116

Britain was lax in law enforcement.
This allowed Americans to start governing themselves
When Britain tightened the reins after the French and Indian war, it was harder for the colonists to obey

Front 117

What caused the half of the population that were fence-sitters to support the revolution?

Back 117

Thomas Paine's Common Sense

Front 118

What united the colonists?

Back 118

the Declaration
the war
George Washington (symbolic leader)

Front 119

What did the
Declaration declare?

Back 119

• Equality
• Natural rights
• The purpose of government
• Power to the people (consent)
• Right (or even duty) of revolution
• The case against the King
• Free and Independent States
• A new nation?

Front 120

When is it okay to revolt?

Back 120

not for light and transient reasons
after evidence of repeated injury
after other means have been tried first

Front 121

What were the early stirring of the revolution in Boston?

Back 121

Boston Massacre
Boston Tea Party
Intolerable Acts

Front 122

Who said:
“I know not what course others may take; but
as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Back 122

Patrick Henry