Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

Enlightenment Thought

Natural Rights, Social Contract, Consent of the Governed

Thomas Hobbes

The Leviathan; believed a strong absolute power was necessary for stability and order and preferable to the “natural” state of people = chaos; also used for a social contract

John Locke

Second Treatise of Civil Government; believed all people had inalienable, natural rights and pushed for consensual governance over monarchs

Jean Rousseau

The Social Contract; Describes the agreement between government and the people; gov secures natural rights and people follow law; Popular Sovereignty; the people are the ultimate ruling authority and elect officials to make laws; consent of the governed

Baron de Montesquieu

Spirit of the Laws; described a republican form of government with large political liberties for citizens, limited government, and separation of owners (legislative, executive, judicial)

Republicanism

Limited, elected government assured natural rights for citizens and made decisions for the public interest; foundation of American gov.