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Origins of Democracy

Origins of Democracy. Enlightenment Thinkers. Enlightenment. 18 th century European movement Tries to apply science and reason to all aspects of life. Thomas Hobbes. Wrote a book called Leviathan in 1651. Hobbes Quotation. Quote from Leviathan:

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Origins of Democracy

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  1. Origins of Democracy Enlightenment Thinkers

  2. Enlightenment • 18th century European movement • Tries to apply science and reason to all aspects of life

  3. Thomas Hobbes • Wrote a book called Leviathan in 1651

  4. Hobbes Quotation Quote from Leviathan: “The condition of man [in the state of nature] …is a condition of war of everyone against everyone.”

  5. Hobbes’ Main Ideas • People are selfish and greedy • Social Contract - To avoid chaos, people give up freedom to a government that will ensure order • The government must be strong and able to put down rebellion

  6. Hobbes’ Connections Today • His ideas are used to justify absolute power • Many people today think Hobbes’ ideas are a bleak, but true view of how people and governments behave

  7. John Locke • Wrote Two Treatises on Government in 1690

  8. John Locke Quotation Quote from Two Treatises on Government: “Men being… by nature all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of this estate and subjected to the political power of another without his own consent.”

  9. Locke’s Main Ideas • Natural rights-right to life, liberty, and property. (Every person has them) • Rulers have a responsibility to protect those rights • People have the right to change a government that fails to protect those rights

  10. Locke’s Connection Today • Locke’s ideas influenced revolutions around the world and the authors of the US Declaration of Independence • Later, people extended his ideas to include equality for women and others

  11. Baron de Montesquieu • Wrote The Spirit of the Laws in 1748

  12. Montesquieu Quotation “In order to have… liberty, it is necessary that government be set up so that one man need not be afraid of another.”

  13. Montesquieu’s Main Ideas • The powers of government should be separated into 3 parts: • Executive • Legislative • Judicial • Prevent any one group from gaining too much power

  14. Montesquieu-Connections Today • US has three branches of government and checks and balances (limit on power)

  15. Jean-Jacques Rousseau • Wrote a book called The Social Contract

  16. Rousseau Quotation “Only the general will can direct the energies of the state in a manner appropriate to the end for which it was founded, i.e., the common good.”

  17. Rousseau Main Ideas • People are basically good, but become corrupted by society. • In an ideal society, people would make the laws and would obey them willingly. • Good of community should be put above individual

  18. Rousseau Connections Today • Rousseau is considered a champion of democracy because of his ideas that political authority lies with the people

  19. Voltaire • “My trade is to say what I think”

  20. Voltaire • Wrote 200 books, 2000 pamphlets • Exposed abuses-corrupt officials, slave trade, religious prejudice, freedom of speech • Exiled for ideas

  21. Connection to today • First amendment-Freedom of speech • Freedom of religion

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