State

Philoosphy

John Locke

English philosopher and founder of liberalism

John Locke

Lived from 1632 to 1704

Liberalism

Political philosophy emphasizing liberty equality and individual rights

Purpose of Government (Locke)

To protect life liberty and property

Natural Rights

Rights to life liberty and property possessed by all people

Social Contract (Locke)

Agreement where people consent to government in exchange for protection of rights

Legitimate Government

Government that protects rights and rules with the consent of the people

Illegitimate Government

Government that violates rights or restricts freedom

Rule of Law

Principle that laws apply fairly and protect freedom

Purpose of Law (Locke)

To preserve and enlarge freedom

Famous Locke Quote

"Where there is no law there is no freedom."

State of Nature (Locke)

Condition where people are free equal and independent but lack neutral judges

Reason for Government

To settle disputes fairly and enforce laws

Separation of Powers

Division between legislative and executive powers

Legislative Power

Branch responsible for making laws

Executive Power

Branch responsible for enforcing laws

Limited Government

Government whose powers are restricted to protecting rights

Consent of the Governed

Government authority comes from the people

Right to Revolt

People's right to remove a government that violates the social contract

Locke's View on Absolutism

Opposed because unlimited power threatens freedom

Functions of Government

Protect rights maintain peace provide public goods and defend society

Influence of Locke

Inspired modern democracy the American Constitution and the Declaration of Independence

Famous Locke Quote

"The end of law is to preserve and enlarge freedom."

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Swiss philosopher and political thinker

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Lived from 1712 to 1778

Republicanism

Political philosophy emphasizing popular sovereignty and the common good

Main Focus of Rousseau

The general will and popular sovereignty

State of Nature (Rousseau)

Original condition where humans were free equal and naturally good

Human Nature (Rousseau)

Humans are naturally compassionate and peaceful

Private Property

Main cause of inequality and social conflict

Social Inequality

Division between those who possess property and those who do not

Famous Rousseau Quote

"Man was born free and he is everywhere in chains."

Social Contract (Rousseau)

Agreement that creates freedom and equality through collective self-government

Popular Sovereignty

Principle that political authority belongs to the people

General Will

Collective will directed toward the common good

Particular Will

Individual interests that may conflict with the common good

Legitimate Government (Rousseau)

Government that reflects the general will of the people

Freedom Through Law

People are free when obeying laws they help create

Famous Rousseau Quote

"The mere impulse of appetite is slavery while obedience to the law we prescribe to ourselves is liberty."

Freedom and Equality

Core values that must exist together in a just society

Purpose of Government (Rousseau)

To promote freedom equality and the common good

Criticism of Rousseau

The general will may be used to justify oppression or majority rule

Influence of Rousseau

Inspired democratic movements the French Revolution and modern ideas of popular sovereignty

Famous Rousseau Quote

"To renounce liberty is to renounce being a man."

John Locke vs Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Both believed government should be based on a social contract

Locke's View of Human Nature

People are rational and generally peaceful

Rousseau's View of Human Nature

People are naturally good and compassionate

Locke's State of Nature

Free and equal but lacking law enforcement

Rousseau's State of Nature

Free equal happy and close to nature

Locke's Purpose of Government

Protect natural rights

Rousseau's Purpose of Government

Express the general will and promote equality

Locke's Key Idea

Protection of individual rights and limited government

Rousseau's Key Idea

Popular sovereignty and the general will

Locke's Influence

Foundation of liberal democracy

Rousseau's Influence

Foundation of democratic republicanism and revolutionary thought