Philosophical Foundations of the US Government

creators of the US government and whatnot.

Moral virtue as the foundation of a just society.

Socrates

Laws are more important than leaders. No one is above the law.

Socrates

Question everything.

Socrates

Pure democracy is the ‘tyranny of the majority’.

Socrates

Philosopher kings are the ideal state.

Plato

Leaders have no private property, emotional or sexual relationships to corrupt them.

Plato

Every person should have a role and excel at something.

Plato

Politics as the art of living well in a community.

Aristotle

Some people are born to rule and others are born to be ruled.

Aristotle

Humans are ‘political animals’ so there should be a mixed government.

Aristotle

Effectiveness of power.

Machiavelli

The ends justify the means.

Machiavelli

Pessimistic man.

Machiavelli

Separation of powers

Montesquieu

Executive, legislative, judicial branches.

Montesquieu

A check and balance system.

Montesquieu

The general will and popular sovereignty.

Rousseau

Direct democracy is the best form of government.

Rousseau

Private property is the root of all evil. We should learn from ‘Noble Savages’.

Rousseau

There can be no separation of powers.

Rousseau

Compassion is the most important human quality.

Rousseau

Freedom of speech and religion, separation of church and state.

Voltaire

‘I might disagree with everything you say, but I will fight to the death your right to say it’.

Voltaire

Without government or laws humans are prone to self destruction.

Hobbes

The king should have absolute power. More important than natural rights.

Hobbes

The life of man is ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short’.

Hobbes

Natural rights and government by consent.

Locke

The idea of social contract and justified rebellion if the government fails to protect rights.

Locke

‘Life, liberty and property’.

Locke

Natural rights can trump kings’ powers.

Locke

Government has the right to govern only with the consent of people.

Locke

A centralized government that protects property rights, maintains national unity, ensures stability.

Morris

Senate of property-owning elites to protect against mob rule.

Morris

Object of government is to protect only property.

Morris

Only white male property owners are eligible to vote.

Morris

Republicanism and individual liberty.

Jefferson

Protection of individual rights and the right to overthrow unjust governments. Owned slaves.

Jefferson

The constitution is an enemy of freedom.

Jefferson

Pure democracy is a ‘mobocracy’.

Jefferson

‘Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’.

Jefferson

Checks and balances, and a large republic.

Madison

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

Madison

Father of the constitution.

Madison

Factions would form. The only way to counteract these factions would be through separation of powers and control away from the majority.

Madison

Strong central government and economic modernization.

Hamilton

Government should play a key role in containing the natural self-interest of people.

Hamilton

There should be an elected king.

Hamilton

Revolutionary democracy and individual rights.

Paine

A government has no right to interfere with natural rights.

Paine

Revolution as opposed to evolution.

Paine

Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness.

Paine

Government should be based on the principles of the enlightenment.

Paine

Property qualifications for voting are wrong.

Paine

Conservatism and respect for tradition.

Burke

Natural rights are dangerous as they can be taken to extremes.

Burke

Humans are shaped by communities and principles not enlightenment.

Burke

Aristocrats should rule. People should be obedient.

Burke

People are not alike, how can they be equal?

Burke

There is no need to educate everybody.

Burke

Rule of law: No one is above the law, not even the king and he must rule according to legal principles.

Magna Carta

Taxation without consent: The king cannot impose or collect taxes without council approval.

Magna Carta

Property rights: Safeguards against unlawful seizure of land.

Magna Carta

Access to Justice: Habeas corpus, right to a fair trial.

Magna Carta

Influenced the US constitution, bill of rights, universal declaration of human rights, and more

Magna Carta