Answer each of the following questions fully.
1. Discuss the conflicts between Liberty, Equality and Democracy. Is one of these values more important to you than the other? In your opinion do we live in a Democracy (United States of America) Why or why not?
2. Governments are formed to protect the life, liberty, and property of the governed. Briefly, how do Hobbes and Locke differ on the State of Nature? What form of government does each believe is best served to the purpose of protecting the governed? If the government fails at that purpose, or becomes abusive of its power, how do Hobbes and Locke suggest it be remedied?
3. Explain the actions that led the colonists to rebel against the British government. How were these embodied in the Declaration of Independence? What other influences of you see in the document?
4. If you lived during the period when the Founding Fathers were debating the Constitution would you have been a Federalist or Anti-Federalist? Why? What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of a strong central government? What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of the power residing with the states?
5. Why did the Schoolhouse Rock video describe our government as a “Three Ring Circus”? Do separate branches of government protect us from tyranny as the Founding Fathers intended? Why or why not?
6. In a country as large and geographically, racially, religiously and economically diverse as the United States, who do you think was right about representation and the rights of citizens, the Federalists or the Anti-Federalists? Does it matter to you if the composition of Congress reflects, or doesn’t reflect, who you are?
7. What level of government is most important to you (local, state, or federal)? Where should most of the power to govern lie? Should the federal government have the power to impose standards on the states (for example in education, the environment, safety)? If so, should the federal government be required to provide funding? How did the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 highlight some of the problems with federalism in the United States?
8. Should everyone, even those whose actions or beliefs you may disagree with, have the fundamental civil liberties outlined in the Bill of Rights? Why or why not?
9. How does a country based on the democratic principal of majority rule ensure the civil rights of minorities are protected? What methods are available to make sure Civil Rights are extended to everyone? In your opinion, have we obtained equality for everyone?