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PHILISOPHICAL ORIGINS OF AMERCIAN GOVERNMENT
Enlightenment Philosophy
Use of logic and reason to solve human problems
Questioning the divine right of kings
Written into our nation’s founding documents
The Declaration of IndependenceThe U.S. Constitution
Natural Rights
The philosophy-belief- that all human beings are born with certain rights:
The right to life
The right to be free
The right to think independently
The right to express your beliefs
The right to be treated equally or fairly before the law
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)
The state of natureNo natural rightsRights are won through force of violenceLife is, "nasty, brutish, and short"
Thomas Hobbes
Leviathan (1651)People create governments to gain securityFreedoms are given up in exchange for protectionComplete loyalty to the government
Thomas Hobbes
Leviathan (1651)One ruler with absolute authorityGovernments must provide natural rightsGovernment is a social contract between people and their representatives
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes Questions
What is the purpose of government according to Hobbes?
Which of his points do you agree with? Explain.
Which of his points do you disagree with? Explain.
John Locke (1632-1704)
The state of natureThe ideal state, but…
People tend to do as they wishPeople tend to violate the natural rights of others
Governments secure natural rights
John Locke
Two Treatises on Government (1689)
Consent of the governedNatural rights
LifeLibertyProperty
John Locke
Two Treatises on Government (1689)
Governments must protect natural rights
Government is a social contract between people and their representatives
John Locke Questions
What is the purpose of government according to Locke?
Which of his points do you agree with? Explain.
Which of his points do you disagree with? Explain.
Assignment
Complete sheet based on information in powerpoint
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
The state of natureThe ideal state, but…
People tend to form governmentsGovernments tend to remove natural rights
Governments must leave natural rights alone as much as possible
Jean-Jacques RousseauThe Social Contract (1762)
“Man is born free, yet everywhere he is found in chains.”Direct democracy is the answer
Everyone participates in every decisionEveryone must submit to the “will of the majority”
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The Social Contract (1762)
Governments must protect natural rightsGovernments must minimize the removal of natural rightsGovernments are a social contract between people and their representatives
Jean-Jacques Rousseau Questions
What is the purpose of government according to Rousseau?
Which of his points do you agree with? Explain.
Which of his points do you disagree with? Explain.
