Study Guide - Lessons 2,4,5
Vocabulary
Consent
Natural Rights
Purpose of Government
Social Contract
State of Nature
Constitution
Autocratic or Dictatorial Government
Constitutional Government
Higher Law
Limits
Monarchy
Private Domain
Bill
Checks and Balances
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Legislative branch
Separation of Powers
Ideas to Know
What are natural rights?
How do people get their natural rights?
What might life be like for people living in a state of nature? Explain.
Where does government get its right to govern, according to the natural rights
philosophy?
What is a social contract?
What is the main purpose of government according to John Locke?
What is a constitution?
What can you learn about a nation’s government by studying its constitution?
Explain the differences between a constitutional government and an
autocratic or dictatorial government.
What are the characteristics that define a constitution as a “higher law”?
Identify two areas of private life in which you think gov should not interfere.
Explain.
How does a system of separation of powers work?
What are the three branches of our Government and what power does each
hold?
How does a system of checks and balances work? Give an example.
The separation and sharing of powers means that gov. cannot reach decisions
quickly. Why might this be an advantage? Why might this be a disadvantage?