Men Who Were Not Americans, but Helped Determine What America Could Be The Philosophy of the Founders Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire Men Who Were Not Americans, but Helped Determine What America Could Be

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness-That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government….. - Thomas Jefferson

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness-That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…..

“We’d Like to Change the World, but We Don’t Know What to Do…..” But, how??? Let’s change the way things are!!

“….So We Leave it Up to You.” Thomas Hobbes “….So We Leave it Up to You.” John Locke Voltaire Baron de Montesquieu Jean Jacques Rousseau

Thomas Hobbes Hobbes was born in England in 1588 His family was extremely poor He worked hard to get into Oxford University Then became a tutor to a rich family He traveled throughout Europe

What would life be like if there were no government? What is the nature of all people? Good? Evil? Caring? Selfish?

Hobbes * People, by nature, possess the equality of ability * People, by nature, are cruel, greedy & selfish “From the equality of ability arises the equality of hope in the attaining of our ends…if any two men desire the same thing…they become enemies”

“…life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short…” Hobbes * Without government people lived in a state of nature. * Without written, enforceable rules, people would live like animals – foraging for food, fighting, stealing & killing, when necessary “…life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short…”

Hobbes 3 causes of war Competition –conflict for gain Diffidence/distrust – conflict for safety Glory – conflict for reputation Without a common power, people live in a condition of war

Hobbes By entering a SOCIAL CONTRACT, people agreed to give up the state of nature for an organized society

Hobbes Hobbes’ solution? Absolute monarchy Only a powerful government could ensure an orderly society Hobbes

Furthers ideas about the John Locke Furthers ideas about the law of nature, social contract and natural rights “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it which obliges every one….No one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty and possessions….”

John Locke Born into a wealthy British family in 1602 Studied medicine Became a medical aid to a British politician Traveled throughout France Wrote many influential essays read by convention attendees

Locke * People, by nature are reasonable and moral therefore they understand the law of nature through the use of their reason and follow it because of their conscience The law of nature provides for certain natural rights…. Life – freedom from threats to our security Liberty – freedom from other’s domination Property – freedom to work and gain economic goods (land, houses, tools, money -- necessary for survival)

What are rights? Locke natural rights Life Liberty Property Human rights Rights that all people are born with cannot be taken away Civil rights Political rights Student’s rights Rights – a claim to have or obtain something, or to act in a way that is justified on legal or moral grounds

Locke * People, by nature are reasonable and moral * People, by nature are also self-interested Therefore, in the state of nature the possibility existed for stronger people (physically & intellectually) to take away of infringe upon the natural rights of the weak. To prevent this from happening…

Locke * People enter into social contracts and form governments to protect their rights What is the purpose of government? How do people running the government get the right to govern? How should a government be organized?

The “Doctrine of Anticipation” Locke 3 Essential Ideas About Government * Legitimate government cannot exist without the consent of the governed (it must be accepted by all citizens – and therefore has an obligation to them.) The best kind of government has limited power The “Doctrine of Anticipation” If a government fails, or the people anticipate it will soon fail, its obligations or violates people’s natural rights, the people have the right to overthrow that government

Baron de Montesquieu Born Charles de Secondat in 1689 At age 27, he became a French lord Traveled throughout Europe He wrote many commentaries on society Slowly became blind

Montesquieu Studied various types of government throughout Europe Advocated for a different system of government Divide powers of government among 3 branches the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branch Each branch should be able check the powers of the other two.

Jean Jacques Rousseau state of nature & social contract “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains”

“Man’s first law is to watch over his own preservation” Rousseau * People are good by nature “Man’s first law is to watch over his own preservation” * People’s natural innocence is corrupted by the evils of society

Rousseau * Society places too many constraints on people Some controls are necessary but they should be minimal Controls over people should only be imposed by governments that have been freely elected * The good of the community should be placed above individual interests

* Freedom of thought and speech Voltaire * Freedom of thought and speech “My trade is to say what I think”

“ I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death Voltaire “ I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Natural Rights Philosophy Stresses the importance of the individual’s natural rights Human behavior is motivated by self-interest The main purpose of government should be to protect natural rights

To protect people’s natural rights What is the purpose of government? To protect people’s natural rights How do people running the government get the right to govern? The consent of the people How should a government be organized? * Limit power by separating power * 3 branches of government

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness - That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…..

Consent implicit explicit Accepting the laws and services provided of the government & nation of our birth Agreeing to a social contract Joining a society that is already established

What are the essential characteristics of higher law? Limited Government Defined by A constitution = a fundamental or higher law that must be obeyed by everyone, including those in power What are the essential characteristics of higher law?

A constitution or higher law- Sets forth the basic rights of citizens to life, liberty & property Establishes the responsibility of the government to protect those rights Limits how those in government may use their power Establishes the principal of private domain Can only be changed with widespread consent How ?

1. Limits the power of government How does a constitution protect natural rights? 1. Limits the power of government 2. Organizes government and distributes power * separation of powers * checks and balances

What type of government should we create?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      James Madison Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson Ben Frankin What type of government should we create? John Jay John Adams George Washington George Mason

Models of Government Democracy Republic “Classical Republicanism”

What is classical republicanism? The best society is one that promotes the common good instead of the interest of only one class of citizens What are some characteristics of classical republicanism? Civic virtue Moral education Small, uniform communities stresses the common good above the rights of the individual

Hmm…how can we combine the ideas of classical republicanism and natural rights philosophy?

Why not simply create a representative democracy? Aha! Why not simply create a representative democracy? Laws will made and administered by elected representatives, thus we have republican principles… …and these representatives will be elected by a large number of people. Hence the government will derive its authority in a democratic manner, from the consent of the people as a whole.

What role does civic virtue play in a representative democracy? People are motivated self-interest Economic self-interest The common good could be served by each individual pursuing his/her own economic self-interest Thus, contributing to the general prosperity

What role does civic virtue play in a representative democracy? It is important for citizens to possess civic virtue and work toward the common good This cannot be relied upon The government must be structured to provide a limited government with a system of checks and balances while promoting separation of powers