US Gov Philosopher Key Terms

Front

Limited Government

Back

A political system where legal restrictions are placed on the powers of government officials.

Front

Magna Carta

Back

A charter of liberties agreed to by King John of England in 1215, it is considered one of the first steps in the development of constitutional government.

Front

Petition of Right

Back

A constitutional document from 1625 that protected several liberties and limited the king's power

-No cruel punishment

-No excessive bail or fines

-the right to bear arms

-the right to petition

Front

English Bill of Rights

Back

An act passed by the Parliament of England in 1689 that declared the rights and liberties of the people and settled the succession of the crown.

Front

John Locke

Back

An English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers, known for his work on the social contract and natural rights.

Front

Thomas Hobbes

Back

An English philosopher best known for his work on political philosophy, especially his book 'Leviathan'.

• *According to Hobbes, individuals give up some of their rights to this authority in exchange for protection. The power of this ruler cannot be challenged. This is because the ruler's power comes from the people themselves, who gave up their own power for safety.

• *imagined what life would be like without any government. He called this the "state of nature."

Front

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Back

A Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer. believed that people were born good and innocent.

*He thought that bad things like corruption and sadness

*famous for his "social contract" idea

Front

Charles Montesquieu

Back

A French judge, man of letters, and political philosopher famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers, which is implemented in many constitutions throughout the world.

Front

Divine Right

Back

The doctrine that kings and queens have a God-given right to rule and that rebellion against them is a sin.

Front

Natural Rights

Back