Human government was established by God as a means to controlling sinful man – Genesis 9:5-6

Ideas of Thomas Hobbes  man essentially passionate ala The Lord of the Flies, basically self-interested and prone to evil  Hobbes theorized that at one time no government existed, there was a period of complete anarchy, chaos, violence and destruction  naturally selfish man, cared about others only when they could be of use to him e.g. as allies

 civilization was in a constant of war which were caused by this passion, and the quality of life was poor  reason led men to seek peace - if only out of their self-interest i.e. their own survival - so they created governments  this governments had to be backed up by swords i.e. force, otherwise they were mere words

 individual security depended on an all powerful government to control man’s selfish nature and acts of aggression  this government began when every man gave up the power to govern themselves to a man or group of men ala King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table  this group would govern for the whole - legislate peace and common defense  in return people had to promise their complete obedience

 Hobbes choice: absolute power in the hands of the government or absolute anarchy - power in the hands of individuals  Because the power of government is absolute society is  maintained out of fear  resistance to the sovereign e.g. king is almost never justified  the sovereign has complete and unlimited authority

 government ends when the people are thrown back on their own devices for self- protection

Ideas of John Locke  man is essentially reasonable, originally living in a state of nature where he volunteered to becomes members of a society, a natural extension of the family unit, for his own self- interest

 agreement based on natural moral law, discovered through reason  do not harm others  do not take the possessions of others  although men are fundamentally reasonable, some will not follow the laws of society  as well there is a natural conflict between two people who think they are right

 strength will then be needed to make and enforce a decision i.e. judges, written laws and fixed penalties for breaking these laws  government gains power through the freely given consent of the people, no one can rule over another man without his consent  the purpose of government is to protect man and foster individual rights and liberties

 people give up part of their freedom in order to live in a secure society where they can enjoy their liberty  all laws rest on the will of the majority i.e. a social contract between the government and the governed  government ends when it does not live up to its public trust, rebellion is only justified if that occurs

Ideas of Jean Jacques Rousseau  essentially agrees with Locke in all respects, except  evil is a product of corrupt institutions and poor social arrangements  government must conform to the general will of the people, but this general will does not necessarily equal the majority, it equals the common good - what is best for most

 man serves his own interests by serving the common good  dissenters of the common good may have to be forced to obey

Relationship between government and power  Aristotle’s method of classifying governments survives to this day  Autocracy - all power in the hands of one person, absolute monarchy e.g. King Louis XIV “I am the State”  Democracy - when people decide, directly or through representatives, how governments should act, essentially following the rule of the majority

 Individualist generally feel that the purpose of life in self-development, people are prone to be evil and resourceful, favours individual action  Interventionists generally feel that the purpose of life to help others, people are basically good but helpless as individuals, favour collective action

God expects submission to God-ordained leaders; he condemns rebellion and rioting  Romans 13:1-7