Politicial Theories of Democracy Work
Political Theories of Democracy (p39-43) – Enlightenment
Political Theorist
Key Beliefs
Relationship Between the State and the Individual / Society
Key Quote
Key Quote in Your Own Words
Thomas Hobbes
Modern founder of the ‘social contract’
Considered what society would be without a state at all
Believes that with the current ‘state of nature’, people would be will to enter into a ‘social contract’
Had no problem with the state controlling people’s lives
Agreed with the concept of a monarchy
Social contracted existed because he believed there could not be an organised in society without someone in charge
Hobbes agreed with the state controlling people’s lives and with the concept of a monarchy
Emphasised the relationship between the people and the state could only work if people gave their consent to be governed.
He believed that people would willingly give up their freedom, in order for their own protection
…”No society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.”
This quote reinstates what Hobbes believes, which is that without law there will be chaos in society.
If there were no state there would be continual fear of violence and death.
John Locke
Agreed that people would be willing to unite to form a Government
Was more optimistic about human nature
Believes that in the state of anarchy human beings were naturally free and equal Citizens would willingly unite to serve
People are free to do as they like
Human beings are naturally free and equal, so they should be in a state to unite and serve the common good
Agrees with the governance of the country
(One of the first people who said that everybody was equal)
“This is a sate of perfect freedom of acting and disposing of their own possessions and persons as they think fit within the bounds of the law of nature”
Baron De Montesquieu
Believes governance should be separated
Political Theorist
Key Beliefs
Relationship Between the State and the Individual / Society
Key Quote
Key Quote in Your Own Words
Thomas Hobbes
Modern founder of the ‘social contract’
Considered what society would be without a state at all
Believes that with the current ‘state of nature’, people would be will to enter into a ‘social contract’
Had no problem with the state controlling people’s lives
Agreed with the concept of a monarchy
Social contracted existed because he believed there could not be an organised in society without someone in charge
Hobbes agreed with the state controlling people’s lives and with the concept of a monarchy
Emphasised the relationship between the people and the state could only work if people gave their consent to be governed.
He believed that people would willingly give up their freedom, in order for their own protection
…”No society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.”
This quote reinstates what Hobbes believes, which is that without law there will be chaos in society.
If there were no state there would be continual fear of violence and death.
John Locke
Agreed that people would be willing to unite to form a Government
Was more optimistic about human nature
Believes that in the state of anarchy human beings were naturally free and equal Citizens would willingly unite to serve
People are free to do as they like
Human beings are naturally free and equal, so they should be in a state to unite and serve the common good
Agrees with the governance of the country
(One of the first people who said that everybody was equal)
“This is a sate of perfect freedom of acting and disposing of their own possessions and persons as they think fit within the bounds of the law of nature”
Baron De Montesquieu
Believes governance should be separated