WHY GOVERNMENT? The Origins of State & the Social Contract Theory If men were angels, no government would be necessary “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” James Madison

Put yourself back into the deepest depths of time where humans lived in complete & unbridled freedom – a time that was void of any government existence altogether. A time that was pre-modern society & before the idea of government even existed – but not without one’s own morals & values. BRAINSTORM WHY PURPOSE 1.) ‘WHY do (did) people create governments?’ & ‘What PURPOSE does government serve in society?’ IDEAS ABOUT GOVERNMENT 2.) ‘Where did we (Western society) get our IDEAS ABOUT GOVERNMENT?’ INFLUENCE INTERACT 3.) ‘How do you INFLUENCE the government?’ & ‘How do governments INTERACT with their people?’

THOMAS HOBBES & JOHN LOCKE INTRODUCTION Who were these dudes?

ENLIGHTENMENT MUCH? The STATE OF NATURE natural law natural rights The STATE OF NATURE, ‘natural law’ & ‘natural rights’ STATE OF NATURE ‘…hypothetical condition of what the lives of people might have been like before societies came into existence’

HOBBES & LOCKE …on the STATE OF NATURE – EQUALITY REIGNS, BUT… SUMMARY HOBBES: SON was BAD! State of war – LEAD TO… SUMMARY LOCKE: SON wasn’t THAT BAD! Conflict was inevitable – LEAD TO… “WHY GOVERNMENT?”

HOBBES & LOCKE …& the SOCIAL CONTRACT SUMMARY LOCKE: …was ON POINT! “WHY GOVERNMENT?”

HOBBES & LOCKE …& the SOCIAL CONTRACT State of Nature! Natural Rights Infringed… Individuals Come Together… Enter into the SOCIAL CONTRACT …with philosophical differences LOCKE HOBBES between LOCKE & HOBBES! give up complete freedom for the protection of rights ‘…give up complete freedom for the protection of rights!’

LONG-STORY SHORT – TL;DR VERSION OF THE… “WHY GOVERNMENT?”

HOBBES & LOCKE …on the GOVERNMENT “WHY GOVERNMENT?” “POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY”

Thomas Hobbes & John Locke – “Who Would Agree?” A MINI-QUIZ! There are no laws in the state of nature and people are constantly at war with one another ‘There are no laws in the state of nature and people are constantly at war with one another.’ Government is needed to create laws, protect people and provide services for society ‘Government is needed to create laws, protect people and provide services for society.’ A ruler should be an individual who has complete power and ‘A ruler should be an individual who has complete power and should not be overthrown if society is unhappy should not be overthrown if society is unhappy.’ Government exists to protect the life, liberty and private property ‘Government exists to protect the life, liberty and private property of individuals throughout society of individuals throughout society.’ The only legitimate government is one that fully represents the best interests of society ‘The only legitimate government is one that fully represents the best interests of society.’ If a government fails to accurately represent the people, the ‘If a government fails to accurately represent the people, the people have the right to overthrow and ‘reset’ that government people have the right to overthrow and ‘reset’ that government.’ A single sovereign is the best form of government for protection of the individual ‘A single sovereign is the best form of government for protection of the individual.’ Governments must be designed to protect the people from themselves ‘Governments must be designed to protect the people from themselves.’ Governments must secure the Natural Rights that were given to them by God ‘Governments must secure the Natural Rights that were given to them by God.’

LIFE Everyone is entitled to live once they are created. LIBERTY Everyone is entitled to do anything they want to so long as it doesn't conflict with another’s right to life. PROPERTY Everyone is entitled to own all they create or gain through gift or trade so long as it doesn't conflict with another’s right to life & liberty! Many of the ENLIGHTENMENT ideas of LOCKE, Hobbes, Rousseau & Montesquieu would go on to influence American Revolutionaries as well as the Framers of the U.S. Constitution!