80 likes | 100 Views
Explore the diverse views of political philosophers such as Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Plato, Aristotle, and Machiavelli on government structures and individual rights. From monarchy to democracy, delve into the complexities of state governance and human nature.
E N D
Views on Government Civics Unit One Continued
Thomas Hobbes • Defined State of Nature • Felt that a monarchy was the most efficient form of government. • Humans are naturally selfish • People should not be allowed to make their own decisions • States have similar attitudes as individuals.
John Locke • People are supposed to govern themselves. • Government is suppose to preserve the right of freedom, life, and property. • Natural rights can never be taken away from you • Property is the most important freedom • White land owners can vote • Right to revolt against a King, they don’t hold absolute power.
Charles Montesquieu • Opposed to absolute monarchy • Maintain law and order, political liberty • Believed in checks and balances • 3 branches of government
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) • Believed that people were born good • Institutions corrupt individuals • Rich people fooled the commoners into accepting them as rulers • Democracy is the answer • People must accept a social contract • Community power • “Man is born free, but everywhere he goes he is in chains”
Plato • Elite class of philosophers • Justice creates community unity • Injustice creates civil war, hatred, and violence • Democracy=Highly corruptible • Possibly a monarchy • Social classes Noble, Rich, Poor
Aristotle • Ethics and politics closely linked. • Poor outnumber rich in democracy lead to civil war • Ideal government gives some control to the masses but it is limited. • Democracy is mob rule
Niccolò Machiavelli • Stability of state is most important • Leader cannot be generous it makes him weak • Government with a sole leader is difficult to conquer, a government who shares power with barons is easy to conquer, hard to maintain. • Those who rise to power through crime are wicked • Cruelty can be justified • Leader must have strong foundation, laws, and arms in order for state to survive.