JBS Overview of America

John F. McManus

A firm foundation.

Offspring of religiously based (tradition)

Today, wealthier take over

But more peo realizing freedoms diminishing

Widespread departure from principles of Americanism

Chart: Government Power (Total Government (100%) on Left, No gov (0%) on the right.)

Was it what gov did that made it great? No! It was what gov prevented.

Political Systems

Monarchy - rule by one
Oligarchy - rule by few - tyranny of the elite
Democracy - rule of the people (majority)
Republic - rule by law
Anarchy - without government

Monarchy - really, rule by a grp w/1 person out front. Never really exists

Olig - rule by a few

Anarchy - without law, there can be no government (freedom) - ancient law. When law enforcement is in place, peo are freer - can return to fields, etc.

Anarchy - temporary condition

Democracy - sounds good, but majority isn't restrained majority rule.

Republic - govt is limited by law, leaving the people alone.

Founders - decided to rule by law, not by democracy.

Jury - doesn't decide by majority, must be unanimous

Gov cannot legitimately redistr wealth - not positive force to do thing for peo.

The word "democracy" not found in constitution

Founders looked upon democracy w/contempt

Greek-Solon - advocated laws not subject to majority.

The essence of freedom is the proper limitation of government.

In hard times, Roman mobs demanded (help from govt and (went fr repub to democ and ended up w/oligarchy under a progression of the Caesar's) Thus, democ itself is a ______________ form of govt - grad transition limited govt to unlimited rule of an oligarchy)

(Side bar verbalized by the teacher. "You can't believe everything you read or her. Remember the bias thing.")

Economic systems

Capital: the means of production can be tools, machines.

Communists - have used tools, machines and people as capital.

What's diff between capitalism and communism? - Ownership of capital.

Free market: self-regulating system in which all parties are completely free to __________ (transact)__________ w/another

Private property includes; title, control, use, ability to dispose of property

Unrestrained as long as owner doesn't infringe on rights ______&______ of others.

4 Forms

Fascism
Socialism
Nazism
Communism

F (Fascism) govt doesn't own on paper, but controls them, thru tax & regulation.

N - (nazism) 

S - (Socialism) govt officials obtain control of vital agencies (major industries)

C - (communism) all capital owned and controlled by state

State-Controlled Economies – In each, gov't controls capital. Difference is how much gov't controls.

The Morality Factor

"righteousness exalteth a nation:"- Proverbs

(Bell rings) figured 4:22 into last you tube video)