POLS 1100 Key Historical Figures in Political Science and American Politics

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