Social

Philosophical Thinkers

Thomas Hobbes

English Philosopher 1588-1679

Hobbes developed a materialist and highly pessimistic philosophy that was denounced in his own day.

but has had a continuing influence on Western political thought. His Leviathan (1651) (book) presents a bleak picture of human beings in the state of nature, where life is "nasty, brutish, and short."

Fear of violent death is the principal motive that causes people to create a state by contracting to surrender their natural rights and to submit to the absolute authority of a sovereign.

Although the power of the sovereign derived originally from the people, Hobbes in a way supported the doctrine of the divine right of kings- where the sovereign's power is absolute and not subject to review by either subjects or ecclesiastical powers.

This is Hobbes's concept of the Social Contract

Hobbes Man lives with violence - only strength and

cunning can provided security. The struggle for survival leaves no time for

art, music, industry, or culture Man is violent but seeks peace in his own

self-interest.

Hobbes

The way to achieve peace is through a society with a stable government - a government backed by force.

Only by force can: i. a government curb man’s selfish and aggressive nature.ii.guarantee security for all individuals in society

All people must obey the government or be subjected by force.

Society is created out of fear and maintained out of fear.

Hobbes

Hobbes, with his negative view of man and society, supported the ideology of absolutism in government.

The governors achieve power through inheritance or military force.

The governors are not answerable to the citizens.

John Locke Locke's Second Treatise of Government a defining work in the

soon-to emerge American government, was based on Locke's concept of natural law.

The hinge of the work was the concept of private property. In Locke's "state of nature" (a through experiment depicting

ancient man), an individual successfully convinced others that a particular plot of land was "his".

He combined his labor with this object or plot, and thus it became property.

This possession can only be freely contracted away to others, and most importantly, the government.

This is the "liberal theory of state" on which is based the Declaration of Independence, written about seventy years later.

On Government Locke imagined an original state of nature in which

individuals rely upon their own strength. Then described man’s escape from this primitive

state by entering into a social contract under which the state provides protective services to its citizens.

Unlike Hobbes, Locke regarded this contract as revocable.

Any civil government depends on the consent of those who are governed, which may be withdrawn at any time.

On Government Political society and government must rest on

the consent of the people. Because man is be free and independent, no

one can rule him without his own consent. The purpose of government is to protect and

foster the individuals rights and liberties. This means that it should interfere as little as

possible with man’s activities. People are most free when they are governed

least.

On change The most likely cause of such a revolution, Locke

supposed, would be abuse of power by the government itself: when the society unduly interferes with the property interests of the citizens, they are bound to protect themselves by withdrawing their consent.

When great mistakes are made in the governance of a commonwealth, only rebellion holds any promise of the restoration of fundamental rights.

Who is to be the judge of whether or not this has actually occurred? Only the people can decide,

John Locke Private property Property can only be sold between

parties Individual Rights and Government Role of government less interference Right of citizen…. revolution

Jean Jacques Rousseau Maintained that human beings were

essentially good and equal in the state of nature but were corrupted by the introduction of property, agriculture, science, and commerce.

People entered into a SOCIAL CONTRACT among themselves, establishing governments and educational systems to correct the inequalities brought about by the rise of civilization. (General Will)

Adam Smith Wrote the book “The Wealth of Nations”

Key points Believed that government maintained a concept of

hands off “laissez faire” toward commercial endeavors. Believed that the economy would be regulated by an

invisible hand. Every person and product is lead by an invisible hand to achieve the best for all.

Free Market system This is CAPTIALISM

Utilitarianism (Liberalism) Modifying the ideas of Adam Smith, an

English philosopher named Jeremy Benthem wrote his most influential works in and actions on the basis of their utility, or usefulness Government should try to promote the greatest

good for the greatest number of people. A government policy was only useful if it promoted

this goal.

In general the individual should be free to pursue his or her own advantage without interference from the state.

Government should intervene if the actions of a few individuals brought misery to many

John Stuart Mill A philosopher and economist, led the

utilitarian movement in 1800’s Questioned unregulated capitalism Believed it was wrong that workers should lead

deprived lives that sometimes bordered on starvation.

Wished to help the ordinary people with policies that would lead to a more equal division of profits

Favored a cooperative system of agriculture and women’s rights, including the right to vote.

Called for the government to do away with great differences in wealth

Supported active reform to correct the problems created by industrialization.

Supported the idea labor unions and other organizations to improve working conditions.

Utilitarian also pushed for reforms in the legal and prison systems and in education.

Both Mill and Benthem believed the government should take action, when necessary, to protect the workers.

Liberalism and Conservatism The ideas of Hobbes and Locke also

introduce you to the two major divisions of political ideology Conservatism and Liberalism

Conservatism resists change in the political system, sometimes tending toward the principle of absolutism

Liberalism seeks change in the system, especially change that will increase freedoms for individual citizens.

Democracy has both a conservative and liberal tradition.

Because democracy is a moderate political ideology, it is able to embrace ideas from both political views

left rightLIBERALSIM CONSERVATISM

C’ism S’ism

Democracy

Authoritarianism F’ism