1. English Political Traditions
What aspects of the English government do we use in the US today?

2. The Magna Carta The Magna Carta: King John I was forced to sign
Guaranteed certain rights to the citizens of England.

3. The Magna Carta
Important rights established by the document and adopted by the US government include:
1. Accused people are guaranteed a trial with a jury. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
2. All citizens are guaranteed justice
3. All citizens, regardless of class, must follow the same laws and will be punished in the same way if they break a law.

4. The Parliament
The Parliament: Originally a group of advisors to the monarch, the Parliament slowly took on more and more power. Today the Parliament has all powers of government in England.

5. The Parliament
“The Glorious Revolution”: In 1688, Parliament forced the King out of power and installed his daughter and her husband (William and Mary) as the rulers of England. This event established the Parliament as stronger than the monarch.
Following the Glorious Revolution, the Parliament passed the English Bill of Rights. Important parts of the English Bill of Rights are 1) members of Parliament elected 2) no cruel and unusual punishment

6. Common Law
England’s laws have not always been written down in the way that we have today. This type of system is called Common Law.
Common Law: A system of law based on customs and precedents.
Precedent: a decision or ruling in a court case which is used as a basis for similar cases.

7. Enlightenment Philosophy
The Enlightenment was a time when people in Europe began to question the traditional ideas about government and power, and came up with new ideas about who should be involved in government.
Several important writers of the 1700s helped pave the way for the American Revolution.

8. John Locke
The most important Enlightenment philosopher in the design of the government of the United States.
Natural Rights: purpose of government is to protect the natural rights of citizens; these rights are “life, liberty, and property”
Social Contract: people in a society agree to give up some of their freedom in exchange for protection of their natural rights by a government

9. The Social Contract Theory

10. Montesquieu and Rousseau
Baron de Montesquieu: Separation of Power  powers of government should be divided into branches (Legislative Branch: Makes Laws; Executive Branch: Enforces Laws; Judicial Branch: Interprets Laws)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: “All Men Are Created Equal”

11. Human Nature: Good or Evil?
As individuals we have choices about what direction our lives take us. Ultimately, what we choose is our decision; however, are our decisions influenced by what we are deep inside? Is there a common human nature in all of us? If so, is that nature good or evil?
Throughout history philosophers, great thinkers, and “normal” people have discussed human tendencies. For this assignment, we focus in particular on the Enlightenment thinkers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, who proposed two different opinions upon human nature. Hobbes believed that humans were naturally selfish, greedy, and cruel while Locke contended that people were naturally reasonable and moral.

12. Human Nature Writing Assignment
Now it is your turn. You are to decide whether you agree with Hobbes or Locke. Do you believe people to be naturally good or bad and why? Write at least a 3 paragraph essay that discusses this question and support your ideas by citing the ideas presented by Hobbes or Locke. You may discuss other historical events as well as personal experiences to strengthen your argument.