Unit 1: The philosophers

Thomas Hobbes: nature of man

man is greedy and selfish

Thomas Hobbes: Necessity of Government

to keep order, avoid chaos

Thomas Hobbes: Elements of Government

• Authoritarian is best, need strong central government to maintain security.

• Social Contract idea, people give up personal rights to be protected by the ruler

Thomas Hobbes: Main contribution

idea of social contract

John Locke: Nature of man

man is good or evil from the environment they are in

John Locke: Necessity of Government

to protect natrual rights: life, liberty, and property

John Locke: elements of Government

• consent of the governed/power from people

• social contract: give up SOME freedom for protection

• right to overthrow/limit the government

John Locke: Major contribution

Declaration, Constitution, & 14th amendment

Baron De Montesquieu: Nature of man

man influenced by environment, corrupted if too rich or too poor

Baron De Montesquieu: Necessity of Government

to protect the people

Baron De Montesquieu: elements of Government

• seperation of power in gov

• 3 autonomous branches of gov

• coined term “checks and balances”

Baron De Montesquieu: Main contribution

Basic structure of our government in the constitution

Jean Jacques Rousseau: Nature of Man

good at birth, corrupted by society

Jean Jacques Rousseau: Necessity of Government

to keep order

Jean Jacques Rousseau: elements of Government

• Social contract, people conract w/ each other. NOT A RULER

• Surrender individual will to the general will of people (Giving up some things for the good of people)

• supreme authority rest w/ general will

• Government is agent of people so people can revolt

Jean Jacques Rousseau: main contribution

majority decision making, revolution, power from the people