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Chapter 1 The Origins of American Political Principles Focus Questions Q1 What are the broad purposes of government? A1 The ancients believed the role of government and politics was to foster human excellence. However, it is imperative to remember that the Greeks and Romans believed the virtuous should rule. Furthermore, values of equality and order would be served through a society based upon the rule of law to provide for the common good. In the Middle Ages, government was largely used to facilitate religion and maintained the need for the individual to live a proper life in the service of God. The role of government changed in the early sixteenth century by downplaying the role of religion while alternatively promoting the role of limited government to protect private property and individual rights. Q2 How should government be designed to achieve its purposes? A2 According to Plato the philosopher-king’s wisdom and intellect would promote order, stability and justice. Yet, Aristotle takes a more realistic view of Athenian society by advocating the best form of government as a polity which combined oligarchic and democratic elements. The Romans combined monarchical, aristocratic, and democratic principles as a mixed government within representative bodies like the Senate and the Assembly in order to champion the causes of both the rich and the poor. Government in the Middle Ages was determined through divine right, whereby a monarch or Pope was ordained by God to rule. Hence, wisdom and virtue rested within these few individuals who governed to promote religious life and protect the religious establishment. The Renaissance, Protestant Reformation, and Enlightenment periods shifted the role of government from upholding religious doctrine to secular concerns such as protecting inalienable rights, private property and promoting commerce. In turn, Enlightenment political philosophers largely appealed to individualism and not religious hierarchy as a means to provide order and stability in which individuals could flourish. Q3 What lessons about government did colonial Americans draw from the history of ancient Greece and Rome?
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