Origins of Democracy Enlightenment Thinkers Enlightenment 18 th

Origins of Democracy Enlightenment Thinkers

Enlightenment 18 th century European movement Tries to apply science and reason to all aspects of life

Thomas Hobbes Wrote a book called Leviathan in 1651

Hobbes Quotation Quote from Leviathan: “The condition of man [in the state of nature] …is a condition of war of everyone against everyone. ”

Hobbes’ Main Ideas People are selfish and greedy Social Contract - To avoid chaos, people give up freedom to a government that will ensure order The government must be strong and able to put down rebellion

Hobbes’ Connections Today His ideas are used to justify absolute power Many people today think Hobbes’ ideas are a bleak, but true view of how people and governments behave

John Locke Wrote Two Treatises on Government in 1690

John Locke Quotation Quote from Two Treatises on Government: “Men being… by nature all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put of this estate and subjected to the political power of another without his own consent. ”

Locke’s Main Ideas Natural rights-right to life, liberty, and property. (Every person has them) Rulers have a responsibility to protect those rights People have the right to change a government that fails to protect those rights

Locke’s Connection Today Locke’s ideas influenced revolutions around the world and the authors of the US Declaration of Independence Later, people extended his ideas to include equality for women and others

Baron de Montesquieu Wrote The Spirit of the Laws in 1748

Montesquieu Quotation “In order to have… liberty, it is necessary that government be set up so that one man need not be afraid of another. ”

Montesquieu’s Main Ideas The powers of government should be separated into 3 parts: Executive Legislative Judicial Prevent any one group from gaining too much power

Montesquieu-Connections Today US has three branches of government and checks and balances (limit on power)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Wrote a book called The Social Contract

Rousseau Quotation “Only the general will can direct the energies of the state in a manner appropriate to the end for which it was founded, i. e. , the common good. ”

Rousseau Main Ideas People are basically good, but become corrupted by society. In an ideal society, people would make the laws and would obey them willingly. Good of community should be put above individual

Rousseau Connections Today Rousseau is considered a champion of democracy because of his ideas that political authority lies with the people

Voltaire “My trade is to say what I think”

Voltaire Wrote 200 books, 2000 pamphlets Exposed abuses-corrupt officials, slave trade, religious prejudice, freedom of speech Exiled for ideas

Connection to today First amendment-Freedom of speech Freedom of religion