There were two different thought processes on the relationship between people and their government, each by different people, namely Thomas Hobbs and John Locke, both of whom were influential figures in their time. Even though both men believed in the concept of the social contract, they had opposing views on human nature and, by extension, why it should be present. For example, Hobbes thought people were inherently flawed and needed a government to keep them in check. In contrast, Locke thought that people were a black state and had no characteristics besides those they learned from the people around them (Cook). The philosophers had different opinions about the importance of nature vs. nurture and its effect on governments. The work of Locke and Hobbs regarding the social contract provided a basis for revolutions even after the two philosophers died, most notably the American Revolution, which would only have happened with the ideas brought on by Locke and Hobbes (Amsco School
There were two different thought processes on the relationship between people and their government, each by different people, namely Thomas Hobbs and John Locke, both of whom were influential figures in their time. Even though both men believed in the concept of the social contract, they had opposing views on human nature and, by extension, why it should be present. For example, Hobbes thought people were inherently flawed and needed a government to keep them in check. In contrast, Locke thought that people were a black state and had no characteristics besides those they learned from the people around them (Cook). The philosophers had different opinions about the importance of nature vs. nurture and its effect on governments. The work of Locke and Hobbs regarding the social contract provided a basis for revolutions even after the two philosophers died, most notably the American Revolution, which would only have happened with the ideas brought on by Locke and Hobbes (Amsco School