First Class Notes

Origins of Western Society

Hebrews
Monotheism – belief in one God
Sons of Abraham
The Bible, Judeo-Christian laws

Greeks
Concepts of democracy
Philosophy and questioning – Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
Alexander the Great – 336-323 BC/Alexandria
Stoicism: a belief in natural laws and ethical standards

Romans
Republic – elected representatives
Civil law to protect the people
Adoption of Greek culture
Constitutional monarchies and colonialism
Transportation and technology
Christianity first persecuted, then adopted in 392
Attempts at revival:
Papacy in Rome
“Holy Roman Empire” founded by Charlemagne

Early Modern Europe

After the Plague, population rebounded
In Italy, international trade brought new ideas, money
The rich could afford to be patrons of the arts
Painting, sculpture, literature
New interest in “classics” of Greece and Rome
New focus on individualism
Humanism: studying human interests and culture
People could save money and plan for the future
The Printing Press spread ideas
New inventions made work easier
Protestant Reformation: Everyone, not just the Church, interpret the Bible

Colonialism

Centralized government began competing for goods and gold
Militaries grow larger. To make sure one country isn't more powerful than the others
Countries explore foreign lands to find more markets to buy goods
Merchantilism: Colonies are created to monopolize foreign markets for the benefit of the mother country
Ideas, inventions, and money changes hands even faster
Absolutism
Kings had sovereignty: ability to control of the law and military in a specific area
“Divine Right:” Kings felt they answered to God alone for their actions
Kings set taxes, made laws, attacked other nations, and maintained armies
No rule of law. “L'etat, c'est moi.” Louis XIV?

Constitutionalism

“The limitation of government by law.” (548)
Constitutions may be:
Single documents (US)
Based on a set of laws and traditions (UK)
Republican, with the power held by the electorate
Monarchical, with an influential head of state and power held by the electorate
Constitutional governments are not pure democracies