1. Roots of American Government

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. Influences on U.S. theory of Gov’t
The Enlightenment (1600s-1700s)
Isaac Newton ( )
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

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

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

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

9. 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

10. 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!

11. 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