Political Landscape Why do we need government? Where did our Founding Father’s get their “enlightened” ideas? American culture today, the changing characteristics of American government, and the American people

Purpose of Government Would it be possible for all American’s to live as they choose with total freedom and without government? Why? Does society need government to exist? What is government? How should we be governed? What should government do? What does government do?

NationalStateLocal

Origins of the State: Theories Force Theory Control taken by one or group Evolutionary Theory Early family structure, head of family Divine Right Theory 15 th – 18 th century – royal birth given divine right to rule. Social Contract Theory Rule at consent of people voluntarily gave up some rights for protection by the government

Locke’s Foundations Natural rights philosophy Influenced Founding Fathers Based on imagining what life would be like without government Government exists at the consent of the people Locke believed that there is a law of nature even in the state of nature, characterized by reason & tolerance. Thomas Jefferson called these the “Law’s of Nature and of nature’s God” in the Declaration of Independence All men are created equal Life, liberty, property and justice

Hobbe’s Foundations Government is necessary to regulate humans who are basically evil People must surrender to rulers in exchange for protection Social Contract Man’s natural state is war and monarchies were needed to restrain it People must give up certain rights to the monarch

Rousseau’s Foundations Man is good by nature, but corrupted by society Political order is necessary Ideal society has a contract between men, not between men and government Direct democracy Government should be controlled by the general will of the people Laws are acts of the people

Would anyone have the right to govern you? What would they say? Locke ? Hobbes? Rousseau?

Would you have any rights? Life, liberty, and property Right to defend these rights if necessary Locke called these “natural rights” We now call them fundamental, basic or human rights

Locke’s Solution Best way to solve the problem of the state of nature is a Social Contract People give up natural freedoms in order to gain protection for their rights The creation of a government which can establish and enforce laws should be agreed upon by those involved A social contract is also known as a compact or covenant