1.1 Ideals of Democracy

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Last updated 2:49 PM on 8/14/26
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9 Terms

1
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natural rights

life, liberty, property. Given by God, not a king

2
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social contract

give up some freedom (to kill, to steal) so things are predictable and stable

3
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popular sovereignty

everyone is equal in their natural rights after we agree on a social contract; gov’t cannot do anything unless people agree to it

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Republicanism

“public matter” = things are managed for the public good, not a private owner (king)

Also direct democracy does not work in a big country so we choose representatives and give our consent to be governed by them

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Hobbes

British

Leviathan

State of Nature = anarchy and war; life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

→ we give up rights (as long as others do) 

→ Powerful Sovereign holds society together but still honors the social contract (i.e. the agreement to do so)

Social contract: we give up our rights so an absolute monarch can keep us safe.

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Locke

British

Second Treatise of Civil Government

Natural Law (incl. life, liberty, property) comes from God and we understand it through reason.

  • Against Hobbes: in natural state, we are free and equal. 

→ no one can be subject to another without consent of the governed. 

→ we must rebel if rulers don’t respect this consent.

Natural Rights; Social Contract - Citizens consent to be governed but keep rights; Right to Revolution

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Rousseau

Swiss

The Social Contract

“Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains.” 

Social Contract: we agree to give up certain natural rights to protect society - if we can make one political “body” that serves the general good. (cf. Hobbes)

Popular sovereignty = people are the ruling authority

General will: freedom is when we agree to cooperate and work towards what is best for all.

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Montesquieu

French

The Spirit of the Laws

Republicanism as a form of government has defined and limited power, gives liberty to citizens

→ Separation of powers

Checks and Balances: divide gov’t into 3 to prevent tyranny

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Republic

elect representatives for limited time; they serve our interests