American Government: Day 2

Discuss with a partner:

Is torture aloud in the United States?

Is torture effective?

Who should be held accountable for authorizing torture and rendition programs?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/05/cia-rendition-countries-covert-support

For a little more evidence and food for thought:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/29/politics/main3554687.shtml?source=RSSattr=Politics_3554687

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/11/AR2009051103412.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruel_and_unusual_punishment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Convention_Against_Torture

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/us/politics/us-memo-details-views-on-killing-citizens-in-al-qaeda.html?hp&_r=0

John Adams: Liberty Will Reign 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2FAAVPX-jg&edufilter=6ZTXQkm2XQimUMKt1E0_Hg

Read Chapter 1, Section 1 on the fundamentals of government.

Chapter 1, Section 1

Key Terms:

-state, nation, nation-state, consensus, sovereignty, government, social contract

Essential Ideas and People:

-evolutionary theory (of government), force theory, divine rights theory, Aristotle, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke

Assignment 1 (Based on Ch. 1, Sect. 1):

1.) Define all of the key terms and give an example of each

2.) What are the essential components of a state and why is each component necessary?

3.) Compare and contrast John Locke and Thomas Hobbes's view of the social contract and government.

4.) List at least four purposes of government and give an example of each.

5.) One function of government is to issue a national currency. Before and immediately after the Mint Act of 1792, foreign currency was circulating in the original thirteen colonies. Write a paragraph explaining what problems this lack of a uniform currency might have caused. Are these problems still problems today? Justify your answer.

Here is the link to the Google Document:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZgoNEm2ZzSUIWwlMtfY2ZVho3zAdoXT0fnkxTBuvDBs/edit

If you would like you may e-mail your assignment to me at davidzahn1987@gmail.com; or print or hand write them and turn them into me personally.