American Political TheoryPOL 265

Erik Rankin S06Adams – Chap. 8

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!)

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”

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 reasonsTake turns reading and discussing

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

Journal Entry #4Discuss 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?