| Thomas Hobbes | Give up some rights to have order |
|---|---|
| John Locke | Natural Rights: Rights that cannot be removed |
Governed should consent to the government | | Jean-Jacques Rousseau | Social Contract: Free and equal people commit to serve for the greater good
Popular Sovereignty: The people are the authority | | Baron de Montesquieu | Introduces a republican government with limited and separated power (The 3 branches) |
Republicanism
Citizens elect leaders for a limited time who make and execute the law
Representative Democracy:
Government where elected officials act in the people’s best interests
Who to Know:
The Declaration of Independence:
July 4th, 1776; Provided a moral legal justification for the rebellion and emphasized a LIMITED GOVERNMENT
Who to Know:
The Blueprint: An Enlightened Constitution:
A government with 3 branches, Checks and Balances, Social Contract, and a representative republic with sovereign states.
Broad involvement of citizens in politics; citizens vote directly for laws (not through elected representatives)
People with widely varying interests form groups to influence policy-making (Interest Groups)
Elected representatives act as trustees for the people who elect them.
Who?
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay
Position: A strong federal government will prevent factions (splinter/interest groups) from overpowering the country
FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENT: Federalist No.
Who?
Patrick Henry, George Mason, Thomas Jefferson
Position: A strong federal government will trample people’s liberties and lead to tyranny.
FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENT Brutus No. 1