Origin and Types of Government

• English Bill of Rights


  secured the power of the Parliament over the monarchy and guaranteed the individual rights of the citizens. (1689)
• What was the Glorious Revolution?


  A revolution against James II of England and his absolute rule; also called the Bloodless Revolution.
• What were the outcomes of the Glorious Revolution?


  Paved the way for the creation of the English Bill of Rights and a constitutional monarchy. (1688)
• Confederation


  an alliance of states in which each member state retains significant autonomy. During the American Revolution, the Articles of Confederation organized the US as a confederation.
• What is anarchy?


  Absence of government authority and law, and absolute freedom of the individual
• Can you provide an example of anarchy?


  Somalia in the early 2000s
• What is Direct Democracy?


  A system of government in which all eligible citizens can vote on every issue
• Which civilization practiced Direct Democracy?

  Ancient Greeks
• Republicanism


  A form of government in which representatives—usually elected—determine the laws
• Thomas Hobbes


  Political philosopher and author of Leviathan, advocate of absolute monarchy; viewed authoritarian rule as the only security against humanity which he believed to be inherently cruel.
• 3rd Amendment


  Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against the quartering of troops in homes
• Bill of Rights


  The first ten amendments to the Constitution which protected legal rights and civil rights of individuals. Created in 1791
• Democracy


  A system of government in which all members of society have a share in decision making
• Hammurabi's Code


  Early regulation of society with a basic outline that presumes innocence and follows "eye for an eye"
• What is Divine Right?


  Political doctrine that states that kings derive their power from God, not from their subjects.
• What does Divine Right suggest about kings' authority?


  Kings are not subject to earthly authority and questioning or rebelling against their rule would be considered a sin.
• Give an example of Divine Right in history.


  King Louis XIV of France in the 1600s.
• Magna Carta


  First English document to establish the idea of limited government, or the belief that the king did not have absolute power. Signed in 1215.

  
• Oligarchy


  government ruled by few
• What is the Social Contract?


  The idea that individuals covenant to create and follow a form of government
• Give an example of the Social Contract in action.

  Preamble to the US Constitution
• Natural Rights


  The rights possessed by an individual with no requirement

  Example.

  Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
• Monarchy


  single person serves as head of state; often granted the position through heredity
• Popular Sovereignty


  The idea that all powers of government ultimately rest in the people
• 2nd Amendment


  Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against restrictions of the right to bear arms

  
• What is Natural Law?


  Laws universally recognized by the virtue of human reason or human nature
• Give an example of Natural Law.


  Murder is wrong
• What are Due Process Rights?


  The legal obligation of the government to respect an individual's legal rights, guaranteed by the 5th and 14th amendments.
• Give an example of Due Process Rights in education.


  The rights of parents of students with disabilities to agree or disagree with student services, change of placement, or behavior plans.
• What does the 5th Amendment protect against?


  Unsupported accusations of wrongdoing, self-incrimination, and double jeopardy
• What is the significance of 'pleading the fifth'?


  It allows a person to avoid testifying in a case against themselves
• What is a theocracy?


  A government run by religious officials who enforce religious principles.
• Which historical example demonstrates a form of theocracy?


  The Massachusetts Bay Colony, which was run by a system resembling a representative theocracy.
• Common Law


  Laws created and developed through judicial decision
• 4th Amendment


  Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against unlawful searches and seizures

  Example.

  A police officer would need a warrant or your explicit permission to search your home.
• 7th Amendment


  Amendment to the US Constitution which protects the right to a jury trial in civil cases
• What is a Representative Democracy?


  A system of government in which all eligible citizens vote to elect representatives to act on their behalf
• Which country is an example of a Representative Democracy/Democratic Republic?


  The United States
• 6th Amendment


  Amendment to the US Constitution which protects the right to a fair, speedy, and public trial; the right to a lawyer, the right to confront accusers, and the right to an impartial jury
• Inalienable Rights


  Rights held by all individuals that are seen as natural to every person and outside the jurisdiction of the government