1. The Enlightenment: Rousseau & Beccaria
How do Rousseau & Beccaria influence western democracy?

2. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
, from France
Believed in indiv. choices, voting, majority rules
Wrote The Social Contract
Influences: Majority rules voting
Rousseau believed that the only good form of govt was one that was freely formed by the people & guided by the will of the majority
To have this type of system, people may have to give up some freedom for the good of all of the people but minority have rights!
The agreement is known as the “Social Contract”
Ideas help start the French Revolution
Do you agree with Rousseau’s idea of majority rules? Why/Why not?

3. Cesare Beccaria 1738-1794, born in Italian States
Believed in a good system of justice
Wrote Crimes & Punishment
Influences Judicial Review & US BOR “legal rights”
Beccaria believed that we have laws/punishments to keep order not to avenge crimes
Punishment should be based on the seriousness of the crime
His famous quote was “the punishment should fit the crime”
However, Beccaria believed that cruelty/torture should never be used
He was against capital punishment (death penalty)
Believes people are entitled to a fair & speedy trial
Judicial branches job to review laws against the constitution
Question: Do you agree with Beccaria’s idea of the punishment should fit the crime? Why/why not?