Whatever Happened to Justice Ch 32
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Questions and Answers

What was one of the main reasons the Founders decided to set up a government?

  • They were certain that individuals could govern themselves.
  • They wanted to create a powerful central authority.
  • Most people thought government was necessary. (correct)
  • They believed it was the only way to maintain power.

What was the Founders' intention regarding the efficiency of the government?

  • To ensure swift decision-making processes.
  • To centralize power in one branch.
  • To keep the government weak and inefficient. (correct)
  • To create a highly efficient and effective government.

Which statement reflects Madison's view in Federalist Paper #48?

  • Concentration of power in one entity is necessary.
  • Power should be divided to prevent tyranny. (correct)
  • The branches should have equal power to govern effectively.
  • A strong federal government is essential for democracy.

What analogy did the Founders prefer for government control?

<p>A turtle that moves slowly. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Thomas Paine refer to government as?

<p>A necessary evil. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did 'checks and balances' play in the government design by the Founders?

<p>To maintain balance between branches and prevent overreach. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the saying 'Ambition must be made to counteract ambition' imply?

<p>Each branch should challenge the ambitions of the others. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Harry Truman imply about efficient governments?

<p>They often lead to dictatorship. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Jefferson believe was the sum of good government?

<p>A wise and frugal government that restrains harm (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event marked a significant increase in the growth of the Federal Government?

<p>The creation of the income tax and Federal Reserve System (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What essential services does the author believe government should provide?

<p>Indispensable services unavailable without force (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How has the population of the U.S. changed compared to the size of the Federal Government since 1821?

<p>Government size has increased at a faster rate than population (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the author suggest about the role of force in society?

<p>Force should be avoided whenever possible (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Jefferson's concerns regarding the government in 1824?

<p>It was becoming too powerful and complex (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the author, what principle should guide the provision of essential services?

<p>Services should be provided without the use of force (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Limited Government

Government that is limited in scope and power, focusing on essential services like law enforcement, defense, and basic infrastructure.

Free Markets

The idea that individuals and businesses should be free to pursue their own interests without excessive government interference.

Self-Governance

The practice of solving social and economic problems through private initiatives and voluntary cooperation rather than government intervention.

Common Law

The traditional legal system based on precedents and customs, providing guidance for ethical and legal issues.

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Limited Government Funding

The idea that the government should be funded primarily through taxes on goods and services, not income.

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Legal Framework

A system of principles and practices that regulate social behavior and interactions, based on customs, precedents, and legal codes.

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Rights and Responsibilities

An approach to legal and ethical issues that recognizes the rights and responsibilities of individuals and organizations.

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Why is the government designed to be inefficient?

The Founders deliberately created a slow and inefficient government to prevent the concentration of power in any one branch.

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What was the Founders' primary concern about government?

The Founders feared that if the government was too powerful, it would become tyrannical and oppress the people.

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What is the purpose of checks and balances?

The Founders aimed to create a system where the branches of government would constantly check and balance each other, preventing any one branch from gaining too much power.

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How did the Founders divide government power?

The Founders deliberately divided the power of government among different branches to prevent any one group from becoming too powerful.

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Why did the Founders fear an efficient government?

The Founders believed that a government that was too efficient could easily become oppressive and dictatorial.

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What did the Founders believe about government?

The Founders believed that government was necessary, but still considered it to be a necessary evil, prone to corruption.

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What was the ultimate goal of the Founders' system?

The Founders aimed to create a system where the government was controlled by the people, not powerful individuals.

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What did the Founders believe about the relationship between efficiency and liberty?

The Founders believed that a government that was slow and inefficient would be less likely to become a threat to liberty.

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Study Notes

Reasons for Government

  • Founders believed government was necessary, even though they lacked complete data and economic understanding.
  • They foresaw potential tyranny and divided power among branches to create checks and balances.
  • Believed that "ambition must be made to counteract ambition," with infighting and inefficiency to prevent a powerful dictatorship.
  • Founders aimed for a slow, inefficient government, contrasting with a powerful, "lion" government.

Founders' Vision for Government

  • Founders envisioned a "wise and frugal government" that protected individuals' freedoms and did not interfere with their economic pursuits, a "necessary evil."
  • The Federal government's workforce was initially deliberately limited, and that growth, they expected slow and moderate.

Government Growth

  • US population increased significantly while Federal government employment grew much faster (390-fold vs. 30-fold).
  • In contrast to previous centuries, growth exploded in the 20th century.

Criticisms of Current Government

  • The author asserts that government size has become excessive, citing complaints about taxes.
  • The author points out that current government has become very different from its founders' modest vision.

Essential Government Services

  • Today, the author believes government should be restricted to indispensable services that cannot be provided privately.
  • The author claims that the necessary services, such as law enforcement, education, and social welfare, can be provided privately.
  • The author asserts that common law, a method for discovering legal principles, has been lost, and we're left without a rational approach to modern issues.
  • The author points out several contemporary legal issues (abortion, risk tolerance, animal rights, AI, assisted suicide, etc.) as examples of lacking solutions that could be resolved by revisiting common law's approach.

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Description

Explore the foundational beliefs of America's founders regarding the necessity and role of government. Delve into their concerns about tyranny, the division of power, and their vision for a limited government that safeguards individual freedoms. This quiz covers essential concepts and historical perspectives on government growth.

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