Key Concepts in Sovereignty, Enlightenment, and Social Contract Theories

Legitimacy

The rightful authority of a government, accepted by the people.

Hobbes' View of Human Nature

Selfish, violent.

Locke's View of Human Nature

Reasonable, cooperative.

Hobbes' Purpose of Government

Maintain order, prevent chaos.

Locke's Purpose of Government

Protect natural rights (life, liberty, property).

Rousseau's Purpose of Government

Carry out the general will of the people.

Locke's Best Government

Limited government with separation of powers.

Hobbes' Right to Revolt

No.

Locke's Right to Revolt

Yes, if government violates social contract.

Popular Sovereignty

Power resides in the people; government exists by their consent.

Individual Sovereignty / Autonomy

Personal freedom and self-governance; right to control one's own life.

The Enlightenment

17th-18th century intellectual movement emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights.

Social Contract Theory

Idea that people agree to give up some freedoms in exchange for government protection.

Natural Law

Universal moral principles discoverable by reason.

Thomas Hobbes

Humans are selfish; need strong ruler to prevent chaos.

John Locke

People have natural rights; government protects rights; if it fails, people can revolt.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

People are born good; society corrupts; government should follow the 'general will.'

Rousseau's View of Human Nature

Naturally good, corrupted by society.

Hobbes' Best Government

Absolute monarchy.

Rousseau's Best Government

Direct democracy.

Rousseau's Right to Revolt

Yes, if government ignores general will.

Sovereignty

Supreme authority within a territory.

State Sovereignty

A state has full control over its own affairs within its borders.

Reason

Using logic and evidence rather than tradition or superstition.

Rationality

The quality of being based on reason.

Equality

The idea that all people have the same basic rights and worth.

Natural Rights

Rights people are born with (life, liberty, property - Locke).

State of Nature

Hypothetical pre-government condition of human life.

Divine Right of Kings

Belief that monarchs derive authority from God, not the people.

Monarchy

Government ruled by a king or queen.

Absolute Power

Unlimited authority held by one ruler.

Representative Government

System where elected officials represent the people.

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