Origins of Democracy Enlightenment Thinkers

Enlightenment  18 th century European movement  Tries to apply science and reason to all aspects of life

Thomas Hobbes  Wrote a book called Leviathan in 1651

Hobbes Quotation Quote from Leviathan: “ The condition of man [in the state of nature] … is a condition of war of everyone against everyone. ”

Hobbes’ Main Ideas  People are selfish and greedy  Social Contract - To avoid chaos, people give up freedom to a government that will ensure order  The government must be strong and able to put down rebellion

Hobbes’ Connections Today  His ideas are used to justify absolute power  Many people today think Hobbes’ ideas are a bleak, but true view of how people and governments behave

John Locke  Wrote Two Treatises on Government in 1690

John Locke Quotation Quote from Two Treatises on Government: “ Men being … by nature all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of this estate and subjected to the political power of another without his own consent. ”

Locke’s Main Ideas  Natural rights-right to life, liberty, and property. (Every person has them)  Rulers have a responsibility to protect those rights  People have the right to change a government that fails to protect those rights

Locke’s Connection Today  Locke ’ s ideas influenced revolutions around the world and the authors of the US Declaration of Independence  Later, people extended his ideas to include equality for women and others

Baron de Montesquieu  Wrote The Spirit of the Laws in 1748

Montesquieu Quotation “ In order to have … liberty, it is necessary that government be set up so that one man need not be afraid of another. ”

Montesquieu’s Main Ideas  The powers of government should be separated into 3 parts:  Executive  Legislative  Judicial  Prevent any one group from gaining too much power

Montesquieu-Connections Today  US has three branches of government and checks and balances (limit on power)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau  Wrote a book called The Social Contract

Rousseau Quotation “ Only the general will can direct the energies of the state in a manner appropriate to the end for which it was founded, i.e., the common good. ”

Rousseau Main Ideas  People are basically good, but become corrupted by society.  In an ideal society, people would make the laws and would obey them willingly.  Good of community should be put above individual

Rousseau Connections Today  Rousseau is considered a champion of democracy because of his ideas that political authority lies with the people

Voltaire  “My trade is to say what I think”

Voltaire  Wrote 200 books, 2000 pamphlets  Exposed abuses-corrupt officials, slave trade, religious prejudice, freedom of speech  Exiled for ideas

Connection to today  First amendment-Freedom of speech  Freedom of religion