Political Philosophers

John Locke Born in England in 1632 Attended Oxford University Influenced by a dean who introduced him to the idea of religious freedom In his published writings, he expressed views about freedom of religion and the rights of citizens. Throughout his writings, he argued that people had the gift of reason, or the ability to think.

Locke’s Beliefs Believed… in natural rights in life, liberty, and property that the government’s authority is based on the consent of the people that the governments exists to protect people’s natural rights that people have the right to overthrow a government if it fails to protect their natural rights

Locke’s Influences on American Documents Declaration of Independence Virginia Declaration of Rights

Baron Charles De Montesquieu Born in France in 1689 as Charles Louis de Secondat Attended college and studied science and history Later became a lawyer Gained fame with his Persian Letters, which criticized the lifestyles and the liberties of the wealthy French Most famous work On the Spirit of the Laws outlined his ideas on how government would best work

De Montesquieu’s Beliefs Believed… in the principle of the separation of powers in government that there should be branches of government and they should exercise equal power that a system of checks and balances should exist to keep any one branch from becoming too powerful

De Montesquieu’s Influences on American Documents

De Montesquieu *footnote* Despite Montesquieu’s belief in the principles in democracy, he did not feel that all people were equal. He approved of slavery. He also thought women were weaker than men and that they had to obey the command of their husbands. However, Montesquieu also felt that women did have the ability to govern.

William Blackstone Born in England in1723 Orphaned by age 12 Received excellent education Earned the degree of Doctor of Civil Law Wrote Commentaries on the Laws of England

Blackstone’s philosophy and writings were inspired by Judeo-Christian principles. He taught that man is created by God and granted fundamental rights by God. Man’s law must be based on God’s law.

Primary Personal Rights Personal Security Right of private property Personal Liberty

Blackstone’s Influence Blackstone's theories influenced the writers of the United States Constitution… Especially in the first ten amendments to this historic document.

Blackstone *Footnote* John Marshall cited Blackstone several times in the Marbury v Madison court case to advance the concept of Constitutional supremacy over the power of judges. Also Blackstone is virtually absent from the American legal education today.

“When the law-making and law enforcement powers are united in the same person…there can be no liberty” Who said …

De Montesquieu

Who said…. “No enactment of man can be considered law unless it conforms to the law of God.”

Blackstone

Who said… “We have learned from history we have reason to conclude that all peaceful beginnings of government have been laid in the consent of the people.”

Locke