Civic Exam

1. Theories of Justice:
a. Utilitarianism (Jeremy Bentham and J.S Mill) = Greatest happiness principle:
decisions and actions should be made for greater happiness to the majority.
Consequentialism: morality of actions is based on overall consequences, which
favor net happiness over unhappiness that an action creates. Quantifiable
utility: uses pleasure and pain as measurable units to compare and maximize
utility. Impartiality and Universalizability: considers the well-being of all
individuals equally, by providing happiness to the majority of people.
b. Distributive Justice (John Rawls) = Veil of ignorance: people would make fair
decisions if they didn’t consider their own position. Principles of justice: 1. Each
individual is entitled to basic liberties, 2. Social and economic inequalities are
only acceptable if they benefit the least advantaged members of society.
Maxinim rule: should prioritize least advantaged members of society. Fair
equality of opportunity: everybody has equal opportunity to achieve a social
position, based on talent not background.
c. Individual Freedom and Minimal Government (Robert Nozic) = Entitlement
Theory: individuals are entitled to their holdings (possessions, property,
resources) as long as it was received in legitimate means. Labor is your property,
government enforces rights, but does not distribute wealth, meritocracy.
d. Justice as Fairness (Ronald Dworkin) = Equality of resources: everybody
deserves equal opportunity to achieve their goals and ambitions, resources
should be given to individuals according to their unique life circumstances, envy
test, people should be accountable for their bad decisions.
e. Capability approach (Amayrta Sen) people should be judged on their capability to
lead a fulfilling life, substantive/positive freedom, government enforces certain
laws, but technically people are free. Functioning and Capabilities, a just
society must not only provide resources, but also the opportunities to use them,
should prioritize the disadvantaged members of society.
2. Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
a. 1948
b. United Nations General Assembly
c. Articulated the rights and freedoms to which every human being is equally and
inalienably entitled
d. Freedom, equality and dignity
3. Human Development Index:
a. Development of a country, not economic growth alone (people and their
capabilities should be the ultimate criteria)
b. Introduced in 1990 and nearly 190 countries
c. Measure of a nation's longevity, education and income, (1. Long and healthy life
2. Knowledge 3. A decent standard of living)
d. Life expectancy at birth and life expectancy index
e. Expected years of schooling, mean years of schooling and education index
f. GNI per capita (PPP$) GNI index
4. Constitution:
a. Representative democracy = president for the executive branch
i. Older than 35 but younger than 60
ii. 4 years, 1 re-election
iii. Degree related to politics and lived in the country for 5 years prior to the
presidency
iv. Monthly meeting with assembly (30% of votes is president)
v. 160 members in assembly, divided into 6 committees
b. Legislative, judicial, finance, health and foreign committees (every 2 years)
i. Members have to have a university degree, 20 or + and pass 2 exams
(political abilities (3 hours) and psychological, physical and mental)
ii. Public meetings every 3 months to discuss suggestions (also petitions at
any time)
c. All citizens need to vote or will be fined (from age 20 +)
d. Searches need warrants
e. Free primary education, accessible secondary education and equal opportunity to
higher education (technically “free education)
f. Health care services (free)
g. Minimum wage is $11.25 per hour)
h. Positive discrimination is allowed in the work place
i. Progressive taxes
j. Private property
k. Obligatory school from 4 - 18
l. Parents are responsible for their kids until 18, if improper treatment they have 3
strikes until child gets take away until jury proceeds with the case
m. If seen polluting the environment, will be fined half minimum wage and another
10 hours of yearly community service (unless younger than 15)
n. Mandatory to pay taxes
o. Obligation to resort to crime or will be seen as an accomplice and to do same jail
time as criminal
p. Death penalty in case of mass murders, human traffickers, or serial rapists