Philosophers

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

Collectivist

Assumptions: Humans are selfish; life is "nasty, brutish, and short."

Purpose of government: Protect people from each other, provide stability & security.

Solution: Give up freedom to sovereign (monarch/dictator).

John Locke (1632-1704)

Individualist (Classical Liberal)

Humans are rational, reasonable.

Social contract: Give up some natural rights to government for protection of life, liberty, property.

Democracy: People can overthrow governments violating rights.

Advocated: Periodic elections, Charter of Rights.

Adam Smith (1723-1790) 

Individualist

Wrote Wealth of Nations; critic of Mercantilism.

Self-interest + competition → economy regulates itself (invisible hand).

Goal: Jobs, cheaper products, stronger economy.

Karl Marx (1818-1883) -

Collectivist

History = class struggles; capitalism overthrown by proletariat.

Advocated: Revolution, workers own means of production.

Economic system: Command economy / communism.

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) -

Individualist (slightly left)

Protects liberty of minority against tyranny of majority.

Only restrictions: Prevent harm to others (Harm Principle).

Advocated: Free speech, individual freedom, rational decision-making.

Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)

Individual worth, equality, government accountability. Separation of powers: Executive, legislative, judicial. Democracy works only if citizens participate.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)

Collectivist/General Will.

Humans born free, corrupted by society.

Direct democracy; general will overrides individualism.

Opposed large private property; advocated equality before law.

Voltaire (1694-1788)

Freedom

Religion, speech, movement, separation of church & state.

Civil liberties & reason → social progress.

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

Utilitarianism

Greatest happiness for greatest number. Laws should reflect majority's will.