1. Enlightenment Philosophers Can People Be Trusted to Govern?
“Yes, people are good and can reason, we have natural rights”
“Yes, we need separation of powers to protect people from abusive leaders”
“Of course not! People are evil and selfish!”
John Locke
Enlightenment Philosophers Can People Be Trusted to Govern?
Thomas Hobbes
Montesquieu
“No! I have Divine Right, God chose me!”
“Yes, ALL participate: direct democracy/Social Contract”
“No, could lead to mob rule, only philosopher kings”
King Luis XIV
Rousseau
“Yes, but just educated ones, although it’s unrealistic”
“No! I have Divine Right, God wanted me to be mother”
“Yes, esp. the women, we should vote!”
Plato
Aristotle
Mary Wollstonecraft
Queen Elizabeth I