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Questions and Answers
What did Benjamin Franklin respond when asked what kind of government the US had?
What did Benjamin Franklin respond when asked what kind of government the US had?
The US is a democracy, not a republic.
The US is a democracy, not a republic.
False
What is the primary difference between a democracy and a republic?
What is the primary difference between a democracy and a republic?
A republic is ruled by law, whereas a democracy is ruled by the will of the majority
According to the political spectrum, zero government power is on the _____________.
According to the political spectrum, zero government power is on the _____________.
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Match the following forms of government with their descriptions:
Match the following forms of government with their descriptions:
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Anarchy is a viable form of government.
Anarchy is a viable form of government.
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What is the primary problem with anarchy, according to the founding fathers?
What is the primary problem with anarchy, according to the founding fathers?
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What is the most common form of government in history and today?
What is the most common form of government in history and today?
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According to the ancient Greeks, without _________________ there can be no freedom.
According to the ancient Greeks, without _________________ there can be no freedom.
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What is the result of anarchists creating chaos and then taking over?
What is the result of anarchists creating chaos and then taking over?
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The word "democracy" comes from two Greek words "demos" meaning people and "cracy" meaning to rule.
The word "democracy" comes from two Greek words "demos" meaning people and "cracy" meaning to rule.
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What is the flaw in democracy, according to the passage?
What is the flaw in democracy, according to the passage?
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The word "Republic" comes from the Latin words "res" meaning ______ and "publica" meaning public.
The word "Republic" comes from the Latin words "res" meaning ______ and "publica" meaning public.
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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What is the essence of a republic, according to the passage?
What is the essence of a republic, according to the passage?
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The word "democracy" appears in the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.
The word "democracy" appears in the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.
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What did James Madison write about democracies in essay number 10 of the Federalist Papers?
What did James Madison write about democracies in essay number 10 of the Federalist Papers?
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Samuel Adams stated that ______ never lasts long, it soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself.
Samuel Adams stated that ______ never lasts long, it soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself.
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What was Solon's wise counsel to the Greeks?
What was Solon's wise counsel to the Greeks?
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Did the Greeks adopt Solon's counsel?
Did the Greeks adopt Solon's counsel?
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What was the consequence of the Roman people forgetting the essence of freedom?
What was the consequence of the Roman people forgetting the essence of freedom?
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The Romans built a _______________ that limited government power and left the people alone.
The Romans built a _______________ that limited government power and left the people alone.
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What was the outcome of the Roman people trading freedom for security?
What was the outcome of the Roman people trading freedom for security?
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Match the following forms of government with their characteristics:
Match the following forms of government with their characteristics:
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Did the Romans maintain their republic?
Did the Romans maintain their republic?
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What are the two choices left for Americans according to the content?
What are the two choices left for Americans according to the content?
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In a republic, power is held by a monarch or dictator.
In a republic, power is held by a monarch or dictator.
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What is the primary difference between a democracy and a republic?
What is the primary difference between a democracy and a republic?
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In a republic, power is separated by the __________________ and individuals operating in relative autonomy.
In a republic, power is separated by the __________________ and individuals operating in relative autonomy.
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What is the result of centralized control in a society?
What is the result of centralized control in a society?
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Match the following forms of government with their characteristics:
Match the following forms of government with their characteristics:
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What is the essence of the struggle at the heart of American politics?
What is the essence of the struggle at the heart of American politics?
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Study Notes
Forms of Government
- A republic is distinct from a democracy, and the difference is essential in understanding Americanism and the American system.
- A republic is ruled by law, whereas a democracy is ruled by the majority.
The US Political System
- The US has a republican form of government, as intended by the Founding Fathers.
- The Constitution of the United States limits government power, and the Founding Fathers aimed to create a system where the government protects the rights of the people.
The Political Spectrum
- A common misconception places communists on the far left, fascists or dictators on the far right, and moderates or centrists in the middle.
- A more accurate political spectrum shows government having zero power on the far right to having 100% power on the far left, with anarchy on one end and total government on the other.
Types of Government
- Monarchy or dictatorship: ruled by one, but in reality, it's often ruled by a group (oligarchy).
- Oligarchy: ruled by a few, the most common form of government in history and today.
- Democracy: ruled by the majority, but this can lead to the tyranny of the majority.
- Republic: ruled by law, ensuring the protection of individual rights.
- Anarchy: ruled by no one, which is often a temporary state leading to chaos and the rise of an oligarchy.
The Founding Fathers' Intentions
- The Founding Fathers designed the US system to prevent the rise of a tyranny of the majority.
- They chose a republic over a democracy to ensure individual rights are protected.
- James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Samuel Adams were all critical of democracy and its potential to lead to mob rule and tyranny.
The Importance of Limited Government
- The essence of freedom is the proper limitation of government.
- As government power grows, people's freedom decreases.
- The Roman Republic's downfall was due to the gradual increase in government power and the erosion of individual freedoms.
The Uniqueness of America's Founding
- America's founding as a republic, not a democracy, is the source of its uniqueness as the freest society in human history.
Key Distinctions Between Republic and Democracy
- A democracy is characterized by a 51% majority lording its viewpoint over the remaining 49%.
- A republic, on the other hand, is a society where individuals operate independently, with powers separated among states and individuals.
Principles of a Republic
- In a republic, individuals and states operate with relative autonomy, answerable only to the rule of law.
- There is no single ruler, dictator, oligarch, or federal government controlling the society.
Dangers of Centralized Control
- Centralized control can lead to totalitarianism, mass control, and an Orwellian equality where some individuals have more power than others.
- This type of control is in contrast to the individual autonomy and freedom of a republic.
Political Struggles and Ideologies
- The struggle between liberalism and fascism is at the heart of American politics, with the line between the two becoming increasingly blurred.
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Description
Explore the differences between a republic and a democracy, and discover the true form of government in the United States. Learn about the significance of this distinction and its implications.
