Formation of Government Why do we humans need government? What do we expect from government? What form should your government take?

Suspend your disbelief State of Nature: 30,000 BCE Location: Black Sea

Imagine Interaction with your own group. Interaction with other people. How do you survive? What’s human nature like w/out govt?

Free Write In your notes write about your experiences.

State of Nature HUMAN NATURE… can we really know? How much do our own experiences impact our beliefs on humans.. Evil Good Egotistical Naive

Form of Government Assumptions of human nature matter. They are building blocks for creating a type of government E.g. the more evil one believes humans to be, the type of gov’t one creates is…..

Thomas Hobbes Text: “Leviathan” State of Nature “The life of man, (is) solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”.

Thomas Hobbes Why Enter Government? “(The only way) they may nourish themselves and live contentedly”.

Thomas Hobbes Type of Rule The multitude so united in one person… (he is a) mortal god…”. Current examples? “ ….this person, is called SOVEREIGN, and said to have sovereign power; and everyone besides, his SUBJECT”. “ (the people) confer all their power and strength upon one man… (and) submit their wills to his will”.

John Locke Text: Two Treatises on Government State of Nature: “no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions… and ought…, as much as he can to preserve the rest of mankind”. Tabula Rasa: Blank Slate

John Locke Why enter Government? “the only way, whereby any one divests himself of his natural liberty… (and) to join and unite into a community (is) for their comfortable, safe and peaceable living… in a secure enjoyment of their properties and a greater security against any, that are not of it”.

John Locke -Type of Rule Law is basis of government Power Divided: Three Branches of Govt (Executive, Legislative and Judicial)

John Locke - type of rule.. Can overthrow government if it takes away property or freedom People select representatives

Jean Jacques Rousseau Text: The Social Contract State of Nature Basically good but lives by instinct

Jean Jacques Rousseau Why Enter Gov’t “men in a state of nature are arrived at that crisis when the strength of each individual is insufficient to defend him from the attacks he is subject to” Sound familiar?

Jean Jacques Rousseau Type of Rule “The total alienation of each associate, and all his right, to the whole community… this act of association produces a MORAL COLLECTIVE Body”. “whoever refuses to obey the general will shall be compelled to it… for this is the condition which guarantees his absolute personal independence”

Jean Jacques Rousseau Type of Rule (continued) “the voice of duty succeeds to physical impulse” Sovereign = Subject =

Your View Which form of government is the most stable, safe and long lasting? Which one would you most prefer? Why? How are each of these forms of government like our own? (2 ways)

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