Philosophers that Influenced American Government

Locke

De Montesquieu

Rousseau

Blackstone

Hobbes

Basic Ideals and Principles of Democracy

• Popular Consent/Sovereignty– govt. gets its power from the people they govern

• Respect for Individual• Equality of Opportunity

– “All men are created equal”

• Personal Liberty– “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”

• Rule of Law– Laws that safeguard liberty

Locke’s Contract Theory

• According to Locke:– All people have “right

to life, liberty, and property.”

– Govt. arises from the contract between the ruler and ruled.

– The people give the ruler the power to rule.

– Ruler cannot deny people their basic rights.

Rousseau Expands the Contract Theory

• In Rousseau’s ideal society:– People would form a

community and make a contract with each other, not a ruler.

– People would give up their needs for the greater majority.

– Community would vote on all decisions, and everyone would live by the decisions made by the majority.

Montesquieu Suggests Limited Govt.

• Montesquieu believed that:– The best way to way

to ensure that the govt. protects citizen’s rights is to limit its powers.

– Best way to limit power is to divide the powers.

• Checks and Balances

• Different Branches

Hobbes-People Cant Be Trusted

• Monarchy is the best• Humans and Nations

are selfish. Both are constantly battling for power and wealth.– Govt. created to

protect people from their own selfishness.

– Authority figure provides direction and leadership.

Blackstone- Common Law

• He had a great interest in Common Law– Absolute laws that are

designed to protect people’s freedom.

Writing for Understanding

• You have the opportunity to bring one of the Enlightened Thinkers back from the dead to discuss his view on government. Respond to the following prompts:

– Who would you invite?– Three questions you would ask him regarding his

political philosophy.– His response to one of your questions.– Explain your understanding of the impact of his

enlightened political thinking on life in the United States today.