American Political Theory POL 265

1. American Political TheoryPOL 265 Erik Rankin S06 Adams – Chap. 8

2. Adams – “Thoughts on Government” • Poets read history to collect flowers, not fruits… what? • According to history and the nature of man, what have we learned about forms of government? • What should we consider, when choosing our government? • What is the end? • What is happiness? (nothing stupid here!)

3. Adams – “Thoughts on Government” • What then is the basis for this happiness? • What is the foundations of most governments? • Does this resonate today? • What does Adams assume Americans will do with a government of this type? • Adams asserts another governmental foundation, what is it? • “an empire of laws, and not of men”

4. Adams – “Thoughts on Government” • Who should make laws? • What should the representative assembly look like? • Is their danger in this? • How does Adams feel about a single assembly? • He gives 6 reasons • Take turns reading and discussing

5. Adams – “Thoughts on Government” • What will happen if there is one executive and one assembly? • Conflict which will lead to…? • Who will win? • What about the power of the judiciary? • So what is the solution? • The Council, how does it come to be? • Did it work? Why or why not? • What about its general theory?

6. Adams – “Thoughts on Government” • “where annual elections end, there slavery begins” • How do you feel about annual elections? • Do we need them, was Adams right, are we slaves? • Is it feasible? Why make this suggestion (pg61)? • How did he feel about term limits? • Who controls the military? • Political pardons?

7. Adams – “Thoughts on Government” • Who should make appointments? • In all cases? • What of the judiciary, what is its role? • What should a judge be? • How long should they serve? • What if they get out of control? • Militia? • Who gets trained? • Where do they get their supplies?

8. Adams – “Thoughts on Government” • Liberal education • FOR WHO? Surely he did not mean this! • Why would he suggest this? • What about saving money? • What will a constitution founded on these principles inspire? • Did Adams think he lived during a great time? • Why or why not?

9. Adams – Correspondence with John Adams • Abigail to John • Abigail is interested to know if independence has been declared • She asks him to remember the ladies, what does this mean? • What of the power of husbands? • “Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could” • Does she threaten John? How so? • The male sex is naturally tyrannical- nice! • What is she asking of Adams?

10. Adams – Correspondence with Abigail Adams • How does he respond to his wife’s letter? • What has the struggle done to oppressed people? • What does he admit about masculine systems? • Will they push their power or go easy? • What is the point of his letter? • Does he address his wife?

11. Journal Entry #4 • Discuss this notion of happiness, does it still apply? • As far as fear goes, do you think it still plays a part in government? • If so, why or why not? • What do you think of Abigail Adams?