US Gov Philosopher Key Terms

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Limited Government

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

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Magna Carta

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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.

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Petition of Right

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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

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English Bill of Rights

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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.

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John Locke

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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.

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Thomas Hobbes

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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."

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Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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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

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Charles Montesquieu

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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.

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Divine Right

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

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Natural Rights

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Rights that are not contingent upon the laws, customs, or beliefs of a particular society or polity, and are universal and inalienable.

(inalienable =You are born with them and they can't be taken away)

ex: Life, Liberty & the pursuit of happiness