LOCKE AND HOBBES

On page 27in your notebook Why do governments exist? What would

happen if there were no governments?

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

Believed that man was innately (born) bad with a tendency to be unrulyWrote “Leviathan” in 1651Only way to secure peace was through a strict and disciplined governmentOriginal state of nature was ‘nasty, brutish, and short’Monarchy was the best form of governmentAbsolute monarchs favored Hobbes theories

John Locke (1632-1704)

17th Century philosopher, writer and political scientist. Believed man was born free with natural rights that cannot be denied by ANY rulerThose rights include LIFE, LIBERTY AND PROPERTYWrote “Two Treatises of Government” in 1690Believed that governments existed for the people and when gov’t failed to protect the rights of citizens, they have a right/duty to rebel/revoltMaintained that gov’t should be a system of checks and balances divided among 3 branchesFavored Representative Democracy

Theory of Social Contract

Developed by Jean Jacques Rousseau

The natural state of man is to be free

Man chooses to surrender some of his freedom in order to guarantee other freedoms

Governments are formed when people, join together, each surrendering personal freedom as necessary to promote the safety and well being of all.

Common Good: what is best for the majority of the people or nation

Processing Assignment

Create a mock “Facebook” profile page for Thomas Hobbes and one for John Locke