While browsing through a department store you see

• While browsing through a department store, you see a woman stuff some articles of clothing inside her coat while she continues her regular shopping.

• You are expecting a tax refund of $90 and are surprised to find a cheque made out to you for $9000.

• Walking through a park, you observe a mother hitting a small child with her fists.

• You are a bartender, and a woman who is obviously pregnant comes in and orders a vodka martini.

• On the way out of the parking lot, while driving your dad’s car, you accidentally back into another car, denting its fender. Your dad’s car is not damaged and the owner of the damaged car is not where in sight.

• A law is passed that makes it a crime for anyone to speak out against the government and requires those who hear people doing so to report them to the authorities. Your father frequently speaks out against the government in your presence.

HUMAN NATURE & POLITICAL THOUGHT Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau

Thomas Hobbes (1588 -1679)

Thomas Hobbes (1588 -1679) • People naturally have selfish impulses. • In a community, these selfish impulses lead to chaos. Therefore, human nature is naturally evil. • A strong leader is needed to discipline, control and manage society. • Type of government: autocratic, dictatorship, monarchy.

Thomas Hobbes (1588 -1679) Let’s imagine…what would happen if, tomorrow, the members of this class became deserted on an island. Would chaos prevail? Why/why not?

John Locke (1632 -1704)

John Locke (1632 -1704) • People are born naturally rational, responsible and free. Therefore human nature is good. • Individuals willingly give up some personal freedoms in exchange for the promise that their freedoms will be protected by the government. This sort of agreement is in the form of a constitution. • Types of government: Democracy.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 -1778) • People are born, naturally free and peaceful. • This freedom and harmony is achieved through the ‘common good’. However, the common good can only be achieved in small communities.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 -1778) • Human nature is essentially good, though large societies corrupt this goodness.

Which political philosopher do you agree with the most and why?

So What? If we agree that people are innately evil or even if they are innately good but will only remain good if they live in small communities … Can you then decide why GOVERNMENTS were formed?