1. Enlightened
Philosophers:
The Philosophes

2. John Locke The idea of self-government favored over absolute monarchy.
All humans have the same natural rights to seek life, liberty and property.
All humans have a responsibility not to intrude on the rights of others.
Government represents a social contract between the ruler and the people.

3. John Locke
The purpose of government is to protect people’s natural rights.
If it doesn’t, the people have the right to overthrow that government.
Government’s power comes from the consent of the people.
Natural condition of humans is one of freedom and equality.

4. John Locke Published: Two Treatise of Government 1690
Thought people had the ability to reason and make good choices, i.e. Be reasonable in society.
Governments get power from the-
Consent of the Governed
Against taxation without representation.

5. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
People are born free but are often kept in chains by their social institutions.
People give up some of their freedom in exchange for the common good.
The general will or the will of the majority must take priority over individual will.

6. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Government should be formed by the people and guided by the general will of society.
All people are equal and titles of nobility should be abolished.
Every system of government should have as its objectives two things, liberty and equality.

7. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Published The Social Contract 1762
Concept: The General Will- majority rule
Majority should work for the common good
Good view of human nature
Best type of government: Democracy

8. Baron de Montesquieu Many forms of government can work well.
The liberty of the people should be protected from corrupt leaders.
Freedom for the people should be sought and tyranny in any form should be opposed.
Published The Spirit of the Laws 1748

9. Baron de Montesquieu
Separation of powers in government is the key to successfully keeping one person or group from obtaining too much power.
Having three branches of government would separate the power and serve as a check of each other.

10. Thomas Hobbes Published: Leviathan 1651
Thought people were naturally wicked and evil (lived through the English Civil War).
Thought people needed a strong ruler to maintain order.
Social Contract-People give up a little liberty (freedom) to a government that provides organization (law and order).

11. Thomas Hobbes
Natural condition of humans is one of continuous conflict and competition.
Without government-anarchy.
People should give away individual liberties for group safety and social order-this is a Social Contract.
Best type of government: Monarchy, King

12. Miscellaneous Rationalists, rational law
Voltaire: freedom of speech, imprisoned by French for criticizing nobility
Popular sovereignty
Enlightened despotism
Mary Wollstonecraft-women deserved same rights as men

13. Ideas of The Declaration of Independence
All men are created equal.
Men have inalienable rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Governments are instituted to protect these rights.
Governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed.

14. Ideas of The Declaration of Independence
If a government takes away people’s natural rights, the people have a right to abolish it.
People have a right to establish a new government that will protect their natural rights.