Democratic Philosophers Graphic Organizer
Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes - Ideas About Gov’t & Power People “need” a sovereign leader People create one out of necessity The “Artificiall Man” People NEED government for control **Once invested with authority, the leader’s power is ABSOLUTE and unchangeable.
Hobbes’ Book Leviathan
Hobbes’ Contributions to America In practical purposes - NONE! However - posed ideas and questions “answered” by others
The “other” John Locke (for Lost fans)!
John Locke
Locke - Ideas about Gov’t and Power Government protects citizens’ natural rights to “life, liberty, and property” ** If government fails to protect citizens’ rights, they have the right to change the government
Two Treatises of Government Locke’s Book Two Treatises of Government
Locke’s Contributions to America Rights to life, liberty and property Strong influence on Jefferson Seen in Declaration of Independence
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau - Ideas about Gov’t & Power Society should be agricultural communities “Back to nature” People are born equal “Democracy” should involve all people in society Government should represent the will of the majority This will reduce influence of “special interest groups”
The Social Contract Be careful - Rousseau’s BOOK is The Social Contract - he did NOT originate the concept
Rousseau’s Contributions to America Influence on key concepts in Constitution Popular sovereignty Elections reflect “will of the people” The Constitution is a social contract between the government and the governed
Charles Louis de Secondat Baron de Montesquieu
Montesquieu - Ideas about Gov’t & Power 3 types of Gov’t - Monarchial, Republican, Despotic Legal systems varies - based on type of Gov’t **Three roles of Government: To Create Laws (Legislative) To Enforce Laws (Executive) To Interpret Laws (Judicial) ** “Power should be a check to power”
Montesquieu’s Book Spirit of Laws
Montesquieu’s Contributions to America **His concept of 3 branches of Government used (almost directly) in Constitution **Separation of Powers **Concepts of “Checks and Balances” used in Constitution