Political Philosophers Who Influenced The Founding Fathers

Preferred Form of Life in the

Book Natural Rights Theory of Government
Government State of Nature
Human behavior is Implied Contract
built on egoism, or People give up freedom &
Thomas Hobbes Freedom, equality
Leviathan Absolute Monarchy self-interest, which is equality to government in
1588-1679 (can be forfeited)
the root of all social exchange for order and security
conflict. must obey; no right to revolt.
Social Contract
Government can only govern with
Constitutional Brutal, because
The Second Life, Liberty, the consent of the governed.
John Locke Monarchy passions overrule
Treatise of Civil Equality, & Property People must agree on who their
1632-1704 mans natural
Government (inalienable) rulers will be. Government is
(property owners goodness
have right to vote)
limited. People have a right to
revolt against a government.
Function of Government is to
Timid, fearful
maintain law & order, protect
individuals unite for
Charles political liberty and individuals
strength; this strong Does not deal with
Montesquieu The Spirit of Laws Republic property. Abuse of power by
society then tends to this concept
1689-1775 government is avoided by
war on the weaker
separation of powers and checks
individuals & groups.
and balances.
Man is not entirely
David Hume A Treatise of Free Speech is A constitution is needed to
Republic self-serving; seeks
1711-1776 Human Nature essential prevent bad government.
balance
Social Contract
Government is the instrument for
Man was born free,
Liberty, equality carrying out the peoples laws
Jean-Jacques equal, and happy.
property is a fraud the people are sovereign, the
Rousseau The Social Contract Direct Democracy Property ownership
on the poor by the government is not. Laws are
1712-1778 leads to inequality &
rich. arrived at by direct debate and
violence.
vote, majority rules, and full
citizen participation is critical.