Unit 1: Philosophical Foundations & Comparative Perspectives

1. Unit 1: Philosophical Foundations & Comparative Perspectives Lesson 5: Relationship between Government and People: John Locke

2. Lesson Objective • SWBAT evaluate John Locke’s analysis of the relationship between government and people and assess its application to modern day societies.

3. Word of the Day/Initial Activity • Limited Government • A government in which anything more than minimal governmental intervention in personal liberties is not generally allowed by law. • Contracts • Answer these questions based upon the definition below • Contract: A written or spoken agreementthat is intended to be enforceable by law. • What other agreements do contracts cover? • How many parties can a contract effect? • How is a contract, “enforceable” besides the law? • Discussion • Do you believe a contract between a government and their people is enough to keep the government’s actions in line to the needs of the people?

4. John Locke, Two Treatises of Government (1689) In spired by the Glorious Revolution in England in 1688 and the adoption of the English Bill of Rights in 1689 • Consent to Govern • Contract Theory • Directly influences America’s form a government

5. Historic limited governments A historic trend since the 1700s has been for people to democratize and then to either stay a democracy or quickly revert back to authoritarian systems of government. Germany America France England Iran Egypt

6. Major purposes of government: Turn & Talk 4th Amendment to the US Constitution “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” What words or phrases stand out to you? Chart • 1 minute to write down a response to this question: • Is this a necessary amendment today? • Under what circumstances could this amendment be disregarded? • Turn & Talk: 30 seconds per partner • Share Out

7. Activity: Opinion • Focus Question: Is the concept of limited government applicable to societies fighting terrorism? • Read NSA Chief: Snooping is Crucial to Fighting Terrorism • Is the NSA’s collection of metadata a infringement on peoples’ right to privacy according to the 4th amendment? • How does General Alexander defend the PRISM program? • Why might people fear the NSA program? • In your opinion, is a breach of privacy acceptable if it leads to thwarting terrorist attacks? • Share Out

8. Summary • Exit Ticket • Supporting your position with evidence either from General Alexander or from the 4th amendment, should the government be allowed to collect data on American citizens without their knowledge or consent? • Discussion • How does the NSA program and other such breaches of the 4th amendment stand contrary to John Locke’s idea of limited government? • Should the idea of limited governments be reconsidered when peoples’ lives are at risk? • Parking Lot • Develop one critical thinking question from today’s mini-lesson or activity. • Write onto post-it and place onto parking lot. You will address these questions as a class during the initial-activity each following day.