Democratic Philosophers Graphic Organizer Thomas Hobbes Hobbes Ideas

Democratic Philosophers Graphic Organizer

• Thomas Hobbes

Hobbes - Ideas About Gov’t & Power • • • People “need” a sovereign leader People create one out of necessity The “Artificiall Man” People NEED government for control **Once invested with authority, the leader’s power is ABSOLUTE and unchangeable.

Hobbes’ Book • Leviathan

Hobbes’ Contributions to America • In practical purposes - NONE! • However - posed ideas and questions “answered” by others

• The “other” John Locke (for Lost fans)!

• John Locke

Locke - Ideas about Gov’t and Power • Government protects citizens’ natural rights to “life, liberty, and property” • ** If government fails to protect citizens’ rights, they have the right to change the government

Locke’s Book • Two Treatises of Government

Locke’s Contributions to America • Rights to life, liberty and property • Strong influence on Jefferson • Seen in Declaration of Independence

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Rousseau - Ideas about Gov’t & Power • • • Society should be agricultural communities “Back to nature” People are born equal “Democracy” should involve all people in society Government should represent the will of the majority • This will reduce influence of “special interest groups”

• The Social Contract • Be careful - Rousseau’s BOOK is The Social Contract - he did NOT originate the concept

Rousseau’s Contributions to America • • Influence on key concepts in Constitution Popular sovereignty Elections reflect “will of the people” The Constitution is a social contract between the government and the governed

• Charles Louis de Secondat • Baron de Montesquieu

Montesquieu - Ideas about Gov’t & Power • 3 types of Gov’t - Monarchial, Republican, Despotic • Legal systems varies - based on type of Gov’t • **Three roles of Government: • To Create Laws (Legislative) • To Enforce Laws (Executive) • To Interpret Laws (Judicial) • ** “Power should be a check to power”

Montesquieu’s Book • Spirit of Laws

Montesquieu’s Contributions to America • **His concept of 3 branches of Government used (almost directly) in Constitution • **Separation of Powers • **Concepts of “Checks and Balances” used in Constitution