The Impact of Key Philosophers How Hobbes, Locke, and Montesquieu effect all of us, me and you.

Thomas Hobbes English philosopher Wrote: Leviathan (1651) after the English Civil War People are “cruel, greedy, and selfish” Created theory of “Social Contract” People agree to give up FREEDOM in exchange for SECURITY Theory was used to support limited government, popular sovereignty, and individual rights…BUT Hobbes believed a strong, authoritative monarch could best protect people from our selfish natures

Hobbes wrote… The absence of government was termed, “the state of nature” In that state, each person would have a right, or license, to everything in the world. This, Hobbes argues, would lead to a "war of all against all" In such condition, there is no place for industry; because the fruit thereof is uncertain: and consequently no culture of the earth; no navigation, nor use of the commodities that may be imported by sea; no commodious building; no instruments of moving, and removing, such things as require much force; no knowledge of the face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. — Leviathan XIII "Chapter XIII.: Of the Natural Condition of Mankind As Concerning Their Felicity, and Misery."

John Locke English Philosopher Wrote Two Treatises of Government (1689) after the overthrow of King James II in the Glorious Revolution People are basically good and reasonable Created Theory of Natural Rights Said people formed gov’t to protect natural rights Basic rights that belong to all humans: LIFE, LIBERTY, and PROPERTY Theories influenced Declaration of Independence, limited government, popular sovereignty, and individual rights

Locke wrote: In the state of nature all men are created equal in the state of nature by God. Only legitimate governments are those that have the consent of the people. Therefore, any government that rules without the consent of the people can, in theory, be overthrown. Right of rebellion keeps government from tyranny

Charles Louis de Secondat… AKA Baron de Montesquieu Charles Louis de Secondat… AKA French philosopher Wrote The Spirit of the Laws (1748) after a long study of differing types of gov’t Admired England’s constitutional monarchy Created Theory of Separation of Powers diffusion of power by splitting responsibility Theory embraced by American founding fathers within the US Constitution

Montesquieu wrote: the executive, legislative, and judicial functions of government should be assigned to different bodies liberty cannot be secure where there is no separation of powers, even in a republic. The appropriate framing of civil and criminal laws must ensure personal security l

Now, it’s time for some Q&A!