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Philosophical Foundation of Government: Insights from Founding Fathers

Delve into the ideas on government embraced by the Founding Fathers, exploring the philosophies of thinkers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and more. Uncover their views on authority, democracy, power, and individual rights, shaping the government's structure. This insightful journey reveals the foundation of modern governance and how these diverse philosophies influenced the shaping of nations and societies.

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Philosophical Foundation of Government: Insights from Founding Fathers

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  1. Foundations of Government

  2. Individuals • Founding Fathers looked back to individual philosophers and their work • What did they like and dislike about ideas on government?

  3. Socrates • “Question Authority” • Don’t overthrow, rise up against, but simply question “Why”

  4. Plato • Student of Socrates • Wrote the Republic • Centerpiece of our government • “Republic” in our government???

  5. Aristotle • Student of Plato • Came up with “Democracy”

  6. Rousseau • Believed people must give up rights to the community • Agree to set up a “contract” Democratic form of government • Few persons under the control of the general will of the whole • Maintain freedoms and control • No single form of government is best

  7. Hobbes • Believed humans are evil and selfish • Humans will pursue power and possessions • Must have a Powerful Monarch to create conditions where people can live peacefully. • Must be feared

  8. Machiavelli • Worked for the Medici family in Italy (Renaissance) • “Ends Justifies The Means” • Do what is needed to get what you want • Politics / Government – stay in power • Lie, Cheat, Steal, Murder, … OK

  9. John Locke • English Philosopher • Natural Rights • Life, Liberty, Property (Dec. of Independence) • State of Nature • No government, strong will survive, island • Social Contract • Agreement between the government /leader and the people (CONSENT POWER) • Take power back if doesn’t work

  10. Karl Marx • Father of Communism (economic system) • Communist Manifesto • Laid out plan for communism • Thought it would happen in England • Industrial Revolution • Very rich and very poor • Plan occurred in Russia (1917) • Bolshevik Revolution

  11. Types of Government • Republic (Plato) • Government in which the people exercise their political power through elected representatives • Federalism • Authority / power is divided between the state and federal government

  12. Types of Government • Oligarchy • Rule by the few • Monarchy • Rule by King / Queen (Divine Right) • Dictatorship • Absolute power in the hands of one • Rule by violence and force

  13. Types of Government • Democracy • Rule by the people • Indirect Democracy • People elect others to vote on and create legislation for them • Direct Democracy • People vote directly on laws • What Democracy does USA have???

  14. Types of Government / Economies • Communism • Government control of all • Classless society • No private property • Countries: China, Cuba, Vietnam, N. Korea • Socialism • Government controls production and distribution

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