1. Democratic Philosophers
Graphic Organizer

2. Thomas Hobbes

3. Hobbes - Ideas About Gov’t & Power
People “need” a sovereign leader
People create one out of necessity
The “Artificiall Man”
People NEED government for control
**Once invested with authority, the leader’s power is ABSOLUTE and unchangeable.

4. Hobbes’ Book
Leviathan

5. Hobbes’ Contributions to America
In practical purposes - NONE!
However - posed ideas and questions “answered” by others

6. The “other” John Locke (for Lost fans)!

7. John Locke

8. Locke - Ideas about Gov’t and Power
Government protects citizens’ natural rights to “life, liberty, and property”
** If government fails to protect citizens’ rights, they have the right to change the government

9. Two Treatises of Government
Locke’s Book
Two Treatises of Government

10. Locke’s Contributions to America
Rights to life, liberty and property
Strong influence on Jefferson
Seen in Declaration of Independence

11. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

12. Rousseau - Ideas about Gov’t & Power
Society should be agricultural communities
“Back to nature”
People are born equal
“Democracy” should involve all people in society
Government should represent the will of the majority
This will reduce influence of “special interest groups”

13. The Social Contract
Be careful - Rousseau’s BOOK is The Social Contract - he did NOT originate the concept

14. Rousseau’s Contributions to America
Influence on key concepts in Constitution
Popular sovereignty
Elections reflect “will of the people”
The Constitution is a social contract between the government and the governed

15. Charles Louis de Secondat
Baron de Montesquieu

16. Montesquieu - Ideas about Gov’t & Power
3 types of Gov’t - Monarchial, Republican, Despotic
Legal systems varies - based on type of Gov’t
**Three roles of Government:
To Create Laws (Legislative)
To Enforce Laws (Executive)
To Interpret Laws (Judicial)
** “Power should be a check to power”

17. Montesquieu’s Book
Spirit of Laws

18. Montesquieu’s Contributions to America
**His concept of 3 branches of Government used (almost directly) in Constitution
**Separation of Powers
**Concepts of “Checks and Balances” used in Constitution