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WGU C963 - Learning Checks & Quizzes Questions and Answers 1.What is it called when people make an agreement between themselves and the government>>> A social contract 2.According to the social contract theory, what is the origin of society>>> So- ciety is the product of human desire and effort 3.Which of the following did John Locke view as the most important protec- tions under the social contract>>> Liberty and property 4.Which of these accurately describes John Locke's view on the state of nature>>> The state of nature was peaceful and consisted of rational human beings 5.According to John Locke, how much authority should society have over its citizens under the social contract>>> Limited authority, the social contract should provide a society in which the society has no more 1 / 4
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power than is necessary to regulate the natural rights and co- existence of its citizens
6.Describe the characteristics of a social contract.: A social contract is a
collective expression of a collectively shared interest, a definition of human nature, and a specification of natural rights.
7.In what way is the state of nature important for constructing a social contract>>> Society should be a reflection of what it means to be human, and natural rights must be acknowledged and protected in a social contract.
8.Why is it important to know what the quality of life is like in the state of nature>>> How bad or good life is in the state of nature will guide the need to cooperate with others, and the subsequent social contract will help overcome the drawbacks experienced in the state of nature.
9.What is the purpose of a social contract>>> Social contracts are created to acknowledge and protect natural rights.
10.What is an important weakness of a social contract>>> Social 2 / 4
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contracts require consensus, which is difficult to obtain in any society.
11.What do natural rights let you do>>> Natural rights let you do what you need to survive and be secure, and they impart an equality of all people.
12.What did the Enlightenment philosophers used the state of nature for>>> - Enlightenment philosophers used the state of nature to define human nature and argued for a proper society and government based on that nature.
13.What conditions are required for a social contract to work>>> The conditions needed for a social contract to work include consensus among those involved in the social contract and a uniformity of ability and purpose among those who agree to it. 3 / 4
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14.What does the theory of a social contract acknowledge>>> The social con- tract acknowledges that the people are in relationship with the government and there are obligations the citizens have to a society.
15.What are social contracts constructed to be compatible with>>> The social contract recognizes both human nature and natural rights and when constructed, natural rights are a central part because they are too important to our individual lives.
16.What natural right was explicitly protected in the Declaration of Indepen- dence>>> Liberty. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence based on the ideas of John Locke who argued that one of our most important natural rights is liberty.
17.Which Constitutional principle, suggested by Montesquieu, lessens the potential harm of the national government over the people>>> Separation of Powers. By separating the legislative, executive, and judicial power and placing each branch into the control of different political actors this would prevent govern- ment tyranny over the people by limiting the harm any one branch might do on its own.
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