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Socrates
Wanted the rule of the wise, not the masses (opposed to pure democracy) because people lacked “truth”and could not effectively govern themselves
Plato
Mistrusted direct democracy and feared demagogues, believed philosopher kings should rule, the ideal polis has universal education, no slavery, and equality among men and women, favored idealism
Aristotle
Humans are innately “political animals” meaning they live in groups, opposed “mere democracy” because uninformed, poor masses would govern in their own crude interests, wanted balanced government with rule by a monarchy, aristocracy, and polity, favored realism over idealism
Niccolo Machiavelli
Realist who instructed rulers that ends justify the means in the quest for political power, people who tried to be good would lose out to more ruthless competitors, rulers had to be cunning and strategic to obtain the ultimate goal of getting, maintaining, and using power by any means necessary, having power is the objective
Niccolo Machiavelli
Major Writing: The Prince
Plato
Major Writing: The Republic
Aristotle
Major Writing: Politics
Thomas Hobbes
Human nature is dark so state of nature is bleak with “war of all against all”, to counter this an absolute monarchy is needed to provide security otherwise our lives would be “nasty, brutish, and short.” He wrote during the English Civil War (1642-1651) between the parliamentarians and royalists
Thomas Hobbes
Major Writing: Leviathan
John Locke
Limited government to protect individual rights, citizens are source of government power and they can rebel if government violates their “natural rights” opposed a government or monarchy with absolute power, the social contract creates a government of law and order
John Locke
Major Writing: Two Treaties of Government
Francis-Marie Arouet “Voltaire”
Promoted freedom of speech and religion, wanted a separation of church and state
Francis-Marie Arouet “Voltaire”
Major Writing: Essay on the Customs and Spirit of the Nations
Baron de Montesquieu, Charles-Louis de Secondat
Separation of powers
Baron de Montesquieu, Charles-Louis de Secondat
Major Writing: The Spirit of the Laws
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Humans are naturally good, voluntary community to promote the “general will”
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Major Writing: The Social Contract
Adam Smith
Free markets produce prosperity
Adam Smith
Major Writing: The Wealth of Nations
James Madison
Large republic with compelling groups
Separation of Powers
James Madison
Major Writing: Federalists Papers Co-Author, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights
Alexander Hamilton
Strong central government
Unitary executive
Alexander Hamilton
Major Writing: Federalist Papers Co-Author
Alexis de Tocqueville
Political culture matters, worried about tyranny of the majority
Alexis de Tocqueville
Major Writing: Democracy in America
Friedrich Engels
Opposed organized religion and capitalism
Promoted Communist revolution
Friedrich Engels
Major Writing: Communist Manifesto Co-Author
Karl Marx
Private property allows exploitation
Promoted Communist revolution
Karl Marx
Major Writing: Das Kapitol
Max Weber
Authority = legitimate power comes from rule of tradition, law, charismatic leader
Max Weber
Major Writing: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
Jane Addams
Equality and voting for women
Promoted helping the economically disadvantaged
Jane Addams
Major Writing: Democracy and Social Ethics
W.E.D. De Bois
Equality for racial minorities
Promoted the right to vote for racial minorities
W.E.D. De Bois
Major Writing: The Souls of Black Folks
C. Wright Mills
Political power in U.S. controlled by corporate, military, and political elites
C. Wright Mills
Major Writing: The Power Elite
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