Describe LA
without a
government
for one week
HW due Monday
Vocab Charts
Vocab Quiz
I will analyze and
discuss the importance
of the concept of the
“state of nature,”
scoring a 2.7 or higher on
an exit ticket paragraph.
12.1.1 Analyze the
influence of Ancient and
leading European
political thinkers such as
John Locke,
Montesquieu,
Machiavelli, and William
Blackstone on the
development of
American government.
HW due Monday
Vocab Charts
Vocab Quiz
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Do NOW
Identifying Historical Significance
State of Nature simulation
State of Nature notes
Real life state of Nature
Discussion
Prisoner’s Dilemma
Exit Ticket
Vocab chart

Why is government necessary? Many political
philosophers claim that without a strong
government there would be those who would
steal, kill, enslave, or otherwise oppress
people who are weak. To some people, this
view is realistic. To others, it is depressing and
pessimistic. Why can’t people live peacefully
and harmoniously without the authority of a
government? Can they?



You will compete in a “state of nature”
and have the opportunity to create a
political society.
You can decide to live peacefully or
brutally, in harmony or in conflict.
You can create a society that is fair or
one in which only the strong will survive.

The goal of the game is to survive and
acquire the most property. The winning
team will be the one that survives the
game with the most property.

1. As in life, there is inequality. There
are seven teams and each team receives
an assigned amount of property. Some
teams will begin with a lot, but other
teams will have very little.
(Now, divide yourselves into 7 teams)
Team
Team
Team
Team
Team
Team
Team
1=
2=
3=
4=
5=
6=
7=
$60
$10
$40
$70
$30
$20
$50

2. There is NO government or authority.
You may make agreements with other
teams, but you are not bound to keep
them.

There are 3 rounds. In order from poorest to
wealthiest, teams will decide what to do:
1. INVEST property and receive a 10% return.
2. Give some of the property to another team as
part of an AGREEMENT.
3. Sell yourself into SLAVERY by giving up all of
your property. You will survive as long as your
owners do.
4. ATTACK a team with less money than you and
take up to $20 from them.

The state of
nature is a
situation where
there is no
government
or laws
New Orleans, LA after
Hurricane Katrina
 The ability to do what you
want without being
punished.
To be safe from harm,
usually physical harm.
 People have total freedom, but
very little security.
 We create government to get
security, but we have to give up
some freedom.

The State of Nature is
important in
government because if
we know how people
are without a
government, it helps us
understand what kind of
government we need.


In your notes under TPS, write at least three
sentences in response to the two questions at
the bottom. Then, turn to a neighbor and share
your responses.
Imagine two worlds:
 21st century America where the government is
suddenly removed. No police, hospitals, case workers.
 Long long ago before governments existed. Mankind
lives out in nature.
1)
How does mankind treat eachother in each?

1) Explain what the state of nature is and why it is
important to the idea of government. In your opinion,
what did the state of nature look like.
OR
2) The Mayans were right and doomsday has struck. The majority of
mankind has been destroyed and you and your classmates number among
the few survivors. There is no school, no government, no institutions of any
kind.
In a paragraph, creatively describe LA in the state of nature. In your opinion,
what kind of government should there be now that we can rebuild.

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
Terms you must use and underline: State of Nature, Security, Liberty
Check for grammar, spelling, and organization
Reread your paragraph
Approximately half a page

On a scale of -10 to +10, evaluate your own
contribution to the class and your classmates

Raise your hand and point out two positives
you saw today