Bell Ringer: explain the irony and how this attitude differs or is shared by the Founders.

Unit 1 Section 2 What ideas about civic life informed the founding generation?

Vocabulary• Civic Virtue• Classical republicanism• Common good• Consent of the governed• Divine right• Inalienable rights• Natural rights

• Political legitimacy• Popular sovereignty• Pursuit of happiness• Right of revolution• Social contract theory• State of nature

con·sti·tu·tion/ˌkänstəˈt(y)o͞oSHən/ Noun: 1. A body of fundamental principles

or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.

2. 2. A written record of this.

What values from antiquity influenced the founding generation?• The Roman Republic was the primary influence from Antiquity.

– Complex system of offices, people had a common voice (with checks on power

– Mixed constitution included monarchal, aristocracy and common rule elements.

• They believed that the Roman Government promoted common good (best for the whole).

• Classical Republicanism. Everyone works for the common good (above self interest)

• This only worked for Romans until expansion and power allowed for corruption and then led to Civil war…never publicity for the guys in charge

Three influential aspects of Classical Republicanism1. Small, uniform communities; humans tend to live

together. Aristotle-Good politics means similarities in economics, culture, religion. Luxury and moneymaking led to corruption. US communities had similar demographics-often defined by religion.

2. Citizenship and civic virtue: office and duties of citizens is important.

-slave and servant class work, citizen class was to work for the common good and serve (duties… not rights the old guys were not huge on elections, freedom of expression, privacy, religion etc. )

Three influential aspects of Classical RepublicanismCivic Virtue- sacrifice private pursuits for the good of the

nationLucius Quinticus Cincinnatus (519-438BC) fought valiantly

for Rome and then went back to farming…today he might have gone on Dancing With the Stars and gotten an agent.

American example George Washington. Fought and brought nation to peace, refused monarchy and relinquished power after two terms (hmmm, bet that is where the tradition and later term limits came from)

Three influential aspects of Classical Republicanism3. Moral Education-civic virtue is learned including symbols,

rituals and values of society.-Children should learn proper habits for speaking

and reasoning well ; generosity, self-control, respect, fairness, courage.- they should also value reputation, trust

Generations were responsible for nurturing youth

American colonies were small church denominated and individuals relied on the community. They fostered civic virtue which limited selfishness and corruption.

What do you think?

Five small groups:Each group will discuss one of the questions on page 15. Groups will present their ramblings to the class.

What is the role of Philosophy in the study of government?• “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are

created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,” Declaration of Independence, 1776

• This is what the Americans based their revolutionary argument upon…

• They kings says he has

“Divine Rights”. I was

born the chosen one, do

what I say. Too bad so

sad for you.

• Founders say, “not so fast,

we have Natural Rights.”

Meaning what would life

be like in a state of nature

(no government to enforce

rules or manage conflicts).

Questions they asked?

• What is human nature/ what traits do we share? Greed? Capacity for compassion?

• What is the purpose of government?• Where do people in government get their authority to govern?• How do we organize government?• What types of government should be respected and supported or

resisted and fought?

Critical Thinking

Five small groups:Each group will discuss one of the questions on page 16. Groups will present their ramblings to the class.

What values from Natural Rights Philosophy Influenced the founding Generation? State of NatureHobbes (1588-1678)• Man is in a natural, constant state

of war with others• The Chaos of war forces a social

contract• People consent to authority (for

stability)• This Leviathan state rules by fear

Locke (• State of nature is free equal and rational• Have inalienable rights: life, liberty, and

estate• Those who endanger these rights

should be punished• We leave the natural state and agree to

a social contract protect rights• If the government fails to protect the

individual than the individual is free to leave

• Two Treaties in Government (1690)• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oC8

tiZ1Shg

Lesson D-1 Response to enrichment.

Freedom flourished far from England (who had some of the concepts and governmental structures covered…just not for us!The four main influences of natural rights

Individual Rights• Inalienable rights of each person regardless of

wealth, social status or birth• American founding generation were aware of

these right s and considered themselves British citizens, close to the Revolution they focus on individual rights (due to violations).

Popular sovereignty /government by consent under Natural Rights• Popular Sovereignty-

government is created and derives its authority from the agreement “of the people”. They give consent to be governed and can with draw that consent.

• Natural right includes the right of revolution. It is in their right to create a government that best fits their collective and individual needs. Benjamin Franklin

Pennsylvania Gazette May 9, 1754

Limited Government• Focuses on Social Contract Theory: persons’ moral and/or

political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society in which they live.

• Social contract is source of Political Legitimacy: a virtue of political institutions and of the decisions—about laws, policies, and candidates for political office—made within them.

• New perspective: the purpose of government is to serve private ends and protect individual life, liberty and property. The needs of the community can not exclude the rights of the individual.

• Government reflects the needs of society and should be limited. The sovereign people own the governement.

Humane equality

• Locke- in a state of nature, all people are free from one another's control and equal to each other.

• Neither God nor nature makes some people rulers or subjects….WHAT? That goes against the grain!

• What about Slavery? Women? Well we ignored that for a while, but ultimately the same concepts would be used in these battles and continue to be used today for individual rights.

Abigail Adams On March 31, 1776, future First Lady Abigail

Adams wrote to her husband, John Adams, who was soon to be appointed a member of the committee drafting the Declaration of Independence:

• ... In the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I would desire you would Remember the Ladies.... Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands.... If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies, we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation."