Roots of American Government

Influences on U.S. theory of Gov’t Aristotle and the Greeks Natural Law idea that human affairs should be governed by certain ethical principals Can be understood by reason Part of the nature of humans is to act in an ethical manner

Influences on U.S. theory of Gov’t Thomas Aquinas Argued natural law in connection with Christianity God created the natural law that established individual rights to life and liberty Opposed belief at the time that kings were given “divine right” to govern directly from God Kings throughout Europe used this idea of “divine right” to rule in absolute monarchies

Influences on U.S. theory of Gov’t The Reformation Early 1500s Religious movement aimed at reforming the Roman Catholic Church Protestant churches founded Belief grew that people could talk directly to God (Priest not needed for intervention)

Influences on U.S. theory of Gov’t The Enlightenment (1600s-1700s) Isaac Newton (1642-1727) Argued the world could be improved thought the use of Human reason Science Religious Tolerance This challenged the ideas that fate alone controlled a person’s destiny and that monarchs ruled by divine right

Reformation and Enlightenment Effects People are encouraged to think about other options besides an Absolute Monarchy

Monarchies Today Absolute Monarchy Semi-Constitutional Monarchy Commonwealth realms Subnational Monarchies (traditional)

Growing Ideas Social Compacts An agreement or covenant between people Mayflower Compact Reflecting new beliefs in self-governing, no more need for monarchs

Thomas Hobbes Pessimistic view about mankind Without government, people would live like animals People must give up certain rights to government to escape the horrors of the natural state and to protect their lives Argued for single ruler (no matter how evil) to guarantee the rights of the weak against the strong

John Locke Government’s major responsibility was to protect private property Men are born equal with natural rights (no king can void) Social Contract Theory: The consent of the people is the only true basis of any authority’s right to rule People form governments largely to preserve life, liberty, property and assure justice If government acts improperly, they have broken the contract!

John Locke Believes that a chief executive is important Should be limited by social contract Law making branch should be the most powerful one! Influenced Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Independence