The Social Contract as the Basis of the Democratic Idea

A. What has Been the Role of the Contract Idea in the

American Political Experience?

1. Mayflower Compact, 1620

2. Lincoln and the Ideology of the Civil War

3. 20th/21st Century Disagreement a. Contract as a Promise of Freedom

and Limited Government: Goldwater, Reagan

b. Contract as a Guarantee of Equality and Dynamic Government: Johnson, Clinton

4. A More Binding Contract during the War on Terror

B. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) and the Social Contract

1. Political Need to Strengthen the English Monarchy 2. Highly Negative View of Human Nature 3. Call for Strong Executive Power

a. Features of U.S. Presidency b. Activist Role of British Prime

Minister

C. John Locke (1632-1704) and the Social Contract

1. Impact of Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the Need to Limit the English Monarchy

2. Importance of Natural Rights and Private Property in Reflecting Human Nature

3. Call for Strong Legislative Power

a. Importance of U.S. Congress

b. Role of British Parliament in Limiting Royal Power

D. Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) and the Social

Contract 1. Rationale for the French Revolution

2. The Organic Society and the General Will

3. Call for a Muscular Public Role

a. Government as a Reflection of Popular Sentiment in U.S.

b. Government as the Embodiment of the Public in Great Britain

E. Democratic Development: Stages in the Social Contract

1. Establishing the Identity of the Nation: Locke (Right of Revolution)

2. Integrating the Pieces of the Nation: Hobbes/Rousseau

3. Penetrating National Power throughout the Country: Hobbes

4. Creating Channels of Citizen Participation: Rousseau

5. Distributing Economic Benefits: Locke

F. Stages and U.S./Russian History

1. Traditional (1776-2009) U. S. Experience

2. Modern (1991-2009) Russian Experience

G. Schwarzmantel # 7

1. Republican Citizenship and the Public Sphere

2. Political Community and Multiculturalism