What did the Founders think about constitutional government?

What did the Founders think

about constitutional government? WtheP Lesson 1

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What did the founders

learn about government?

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Purpose of govt• Help people learn about and perform their civic and moral duties

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Greek & Roman history

• Democracy tends to end in tyranny

• Class warfare breeds disorder

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Natural Rights• People have natural rights others must respect

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UK history• Monarch can evolve into free govt

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Colonial history• Local self-gov could exist w/

distant central authority

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MOST IMP LESSONS

•Gov should be the servant of the people

•Constitution should limit the govt

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What forms of government

could the Founders

choose from?Ms. Ramos

1. Mixed Constitution• Plato’s categories:

–Aristocracy–Timocracy–Oligarchy–Democracy–Tyranny

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• Aristotle- Polybius–Rule by one, few, and many.

–Functions of gov: deliberation, execution, judging

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2. Roman Republic• Consuls• Senators• Assemblymen• Perfects

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3. Democracy• People rule (demos kratos)

• Small- direct rule possible• Large-people choose representatives

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What is a constitution?

• Establish principles & rules• Written or unwritten• Limited govt: restraints on

power by constitution

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How did the Founders

characterize higher law?

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• Sets basic rights• Est responsibility of govt • Est limitations on govt• Changed only by citizens

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